By Patricia Gbemudu
The Director-General, Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, has reiterated the commitment of the Commission to increasing access to healthcare delivery in line with the MORE Agenda of the Oborevwori administration.
Dr. Akpoveta stated this when he played host to the executives of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Asaba Zone, in his office in Asaba.
The DG noted that the present administration remained firm in ensuring that all projects started by the previous administration were completed as a reflection of the principle of continuity in government, as well as for the good of Deltans and residents of the state.
Dr. Akpoveta appealed to members of the NMA to key into the “Enrollee Indigent Adoption Programme” initiated by the commission, urging them to buy health insurance for indigent persons around them.
Dr. Akpoveta noted that about 380 persons had been registered into the initiative, courtesy of individuals, unions and associations.
The Director-General reemphasized the commitment of the commission to doubling the number of enrollees into the scheme before the end of the present administration, adding that the target was to make Delta State the number one in health insurance scheme management in the country.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Asaba Zone, Dr Christopher Otene, said the association had carried out a massive public health enlightenment campaign as part of assisting the relevant agencies in stamping out medical quackery in the state.
Dr. Otene added that the association was collaborating with other state governments and non-governmental bodies to advance health and empowering people to make informed health decisions, as well as assisting people in the provision of smooth, efficient and effective healthcare services.
Dr. Otene said that the appointment of Dr Akpoveta as DG of the commission was well deserved, given his contribution to strategically position the commission when he served two tenures as pioneer Chairman of the commission.
He observed the exemplary lifestyle and commitment the DG had shown to service through his unwavering commitment to doubling the number of enrollees in the contributory health insurance scheme within one year in the state, and expressed the belief in his ability to ensure access to quality healthcare services for all residents in the state, irrespective of socio-economic status and geographical location.
Dr Otene commended the state governor for appointing Akpoveta. He reiterated the willingness of the zone to collaborate with the commission in organising public awareness campaigns to educate residents on the advantages of enrolling in the health insurance scheme as well as participating in expanding the network of participating healthcare providers, to complement efforts of the state government towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), by the year 2030.
