By Pat Gbemudu
Traditional rulers and other leaders in various communities have been called to key into the programmes of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission to enable indigent persons in their locality, enjoy free healthcare.
The Director General of the commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, made the call in his office in Asaba, when he played host to the Oyede Traditional Rulers Council, from Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta state.
Dr. Akpoveta thanked the Royal Majesty, the Odio- Ologbo of Oyede kingdom and his entourage for the visit, describing it as historic, as he said it was the first time a traditional ruler was paying a courtesy visit on the commission.
The Director General intimated his Royal Majesty and his entourage of the activities of the commission since its establishment by the Okowa administration, adding that the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme has remained one of the foremost social health insurance, with a record of over two million enrollees.
He urged indigenes residing within and outside Oyede, including those in the diaspora to key into the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Programme of the commission, by buying and encouraging others to buy health insurance for indigent persons around them.
Dr. Akpoveta said rather than spending so much on burial, there was need to focus more on sponsoring the indigent and vulnerable persons to receive healthcare services in healthcare facilities nearest to them, to enable people live longer and healthier.
While emphasizing the need for increased awareness especially on the government health support for communities, he enjoined all to join hands and support the commission to enable it achieve its mandate of quality and affordable healthcare delivery to residents of the state.
The Odio- Ologbo of Oyede kingdom, HRM Idiareh Joseph Emasibeta 1V, commended the DG for his doggedness, passion and humanitarian disposition, saying that they were satisfied with his work so far.
The traditional ruler thanked the Governor of Delta state for appointing Olorogun Akpoveta as the DG of the commission, expressing confidence in his ability to effectively deliver on his mandate, given his antecedents and personality.
The event had in attendance, directors in the commission.
