By Pat Gbemudu
The Delta State Contributory Health Commission is working on increasing the population of enrollees into the scheme, with a target of one million enrollees per year.
The Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Austin Obidi stated this while inaugurating members of the Commission’s Governing Board in Asaba.
Dr. Obidi thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his commitment and increasing support to the Commission, in its quest for universal health coverage.
Congratulating the newly inaugurated Board members, he noted that they were carefully chosen on account of their academic and professional qualifications and proven track records, and urged them to put in their best in carrying out their assignments.
The Chairman said with the inauguration of members of the Governing Board, a roadmap for their programs would be unveiled, including the exponential increase of enrollee population to a million enrollees per year, ensuring enrollee satisfaction in the hospital care facility, increase awareness of the scheme within the polity, digitization of the Commission’s operations, redefining and improving the Access to Finance program, especially in riverine and hard to reach rural areas and speedy and effective response to health providers.
Dr. Obidi admonished the members to work for the growth of the Commission and foster development in the state. He reminded them of the need for probity, transparency, and accountability in piloting the affairs of the Commission, in line with the developmental vision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
The Director General of the Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta said, Delta State already had over 1.8million enrollees in 7 years, which is more than 30% of the population, adding that this feat has put the state at number one in health insurance across the federation.
Dr. Akpoveta said the Commission was working to increase the number of enrollees to 2.8 million in the next one year, which would mean over 40% of the population, and to ensure all residents in the state are registered in the scheme irrespective of their age, economic or social status.
He disclosed strategies of the Commission to increase the number of enrollees to include, the Indigent Enrollees Adoption Initiative, where people adopt and register indigent persons around them, ensuring all private organizations, government appointees, artisans, traders are up to their Corporate Social Responsibilities, especially in the areas of registering people with their funds.
Responding on behalf of other newly inaugurated members of the Commission’s Board, Deacon Okezie Odugala, thanked the Commission for the confidence reposed in them to serve, and promised to work to take the Commission to greater heights.
The members who earlier swore to the relevant oaths of office in the presence of Directors in the Commission, were later conducted round the various departments to familiarize them with the workings of the offices.
