By Anne Azuka
The Chairman Governing Board, Delta State Contributory Health Commission(DSCHC), Dr. Augustine Obidi has lauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his commitment in supporting the institution which is pivotal in the provisIon of accessible and affordable healthcare for Deltans, in their quest for Universal Health Coverage.
Dr. Obidi who stated this yesterday at the DSCHC headquarters in Asaba while inaugurating members of the Governing Board urged them to put in their best in the onerous task, reminding them that they were carefully chosen based on academic and professional qualification and proven track records.
According to Board Chairman, the Governor emphasized on the need for probity, transparency and accountability, to be our watchwords in the task of moving the Commission to an enviable height.
This, he advised that in affirming their commitment to adhering to that admonition, “those words should be our watchwords going forward”.
Board Chairman noted that the road map would be unveiled and contributions of members welcome in subsequent engagements such as retreat, board meetings, trainings among others.
Obidi listed some of the road map to include exponential increase of enrolled population of about one million enrolled per year, ensuring enrolled satisfaction in the HCF, increased awesomeness awareness of the scheme within the polity and digitalisation of DSCHC operations.
Others are redefining and enhancing the laudable but challenging Access-to-Finance programme especially in the hard-to-reach rural areas, registration of all residents, faster, more efficient and effective response to Health Providers whilst maintaining a more cordial and robust relationship with them, amongst others.
Speaking in an interview shortly after the inauguration, the Director-General DSCHC, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta said the mandate was to ensure that all Deltans both young and old are registered in the scheme.
Dr. Akpoveta who is the pioneer Chairman of the Commission said the commission got N1.8 million within the last seven years .
According to him, by yesterday we got about one million, eight hundred and forty-four thousand naira(N1.844 million) in Delta State, now having more than 30 percent past the National Health Insurance (NHI) for about six million people, the e highest in the country.
He promised that the Commission would map out strategy to increase the number to one million Deltans, saying that it will go for about 44 percent of the population of Delta State.
“That will be done through Indigent Adopted Programme to help those who are really poor to get registered into the health insurance scheme at the rural communities.
He therefore, appealed to philanthropists, oil companies, Civil Society Organizations and government appointees, others to help save the lives of indigent people at the rural communities.
