By Anne Azuka
The member representing Oshimili North Constiuency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Esenwa has sponsored the enrollment of 200 indigent Constituents into the State Contributory Health Insurance Commission for better healthcare services.
The indigent enrolees were drawn from the various towns in the Oshimili North Local Government Area.
In a keynote address during the flagged off of the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative, IEAI, at Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta said the event was part of ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility and inclusivity within communities in the state.
Dr. Akpoveta said that with just seven thousand naira (N7,000), anyone could purchase health insurance for indigent persons around him to access quality healthcare in any hospital of their choice throughout the year.
Describing Hon. Esenwa as a philanthropist per excellence, the DG said the gesture of the legislator towards his constituents was an example of true leadership and compassion, even as he noted that Hon. Esenwa had set a record as the first person to purchase health insurance for 200 persons under the scheme in the state.
Dr. Akpoveta said the Commission has made remarkable progress in fulfilling its mandate, especially with the implementation of various programmes, which has helped increase healthcare coverage and health outcomes of the people.
He listed the programmes to include the Equity Health plan, formal Health plan, and the informal Health plan, as well as the Access to Finance Initiative for the hard-to-reach areas of the state, Tertiary Institution Social Health Insurance Program, TISHIP, for students and the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative.
The DG said over 1,890,000 persons in Delta state have so far registered in the scheme, indicating the confidence of Deltans in the commission and its programmes, even as he reiterated the Commission’s commitment to expanding the reach and impact across the state.
He thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his continued political will and financial support to the commission, and urged stakeholders to continue to support initiatives aimed at expanding healthcare access for all residents of the state.
The Chairman of the Commission, Dr Austin Obidi in his earlier remarks, commended Hon. Esenwa for addressing the health needs of his constituents.
Dr. Obidi urged other well meaning Deltans, including corporate organizations to take cue and lend a helping hand to the indigent around them, bearing in mind that health is wealth.
While saying that the insurance scheme and the upgrading of health facilities across the state, was a testament of the state government’s commitment to providing more health benefits for Deltans, Dr. Obidi urged the people to spread the good news to everyone around them.
The member representing Oshimili North in the State House of Assembly, and sponsor of the programme, Hon. Frank Esenwa said he decided to utilize the opportunity upon hearing of the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative to reduce the health stress of his constituents, especially at a time where drugs were becoming more expensive, and the global economy was dwindling.
Hon. Esenwa recognized the role of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in bringing health insurance into the state, describing it as laudable, while also calling on others to embrace the programme.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke including a 67 year old physically challenged retiree who has been battling health challenges, thanked Hon. Esenwa for the gesture, saying that they had never had it so good.
Highpoint of the event was the conferment of Health Insurance Ambassador on Hon. Esenwa by the Commission.
