The Delta State Government has declared its intention to increase the number of enrollees in the contributory health insurance scheme by one million before the end of 2024.
The scheme has about 1.8 million enrollees over the past seven years when the Delta State Contributory Health Commission was set up.
Chairman of the commission, Dr. Austin Obidi who spoke in Asaba while inaugurating members of the governing board, said there would be aggressive campaigns to ensure that one million enrollees are added annually.
Dr. Obidi thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his commitment and support to the commission, in its quest for universal health coverage.
He said members of the board 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.
Obidi said with the inauguration of the board, a roadmap for their programs will be unveiled, including the exponential increase of enrollee population to a million per year; ensuring enrollee satisfaction in the hospital care facility; increasing 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.
He admonished the members to work for the growth of the commission and foster development in the state, reminding them of the need for probity, transparency and accountability in piloting the affairs of the commission.
Director General of the commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta said the over 1.8 million enrollees in seven years represented more than 30 percent of the population of the state.
Akpoveta added that the feat has put the state in the number one position in health insurance across the federation.
He 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 organisations, government appointees, artisans and traders are up to their Corporate Social Responsibilities, especially in the areas of registering people with their funds.
SOURCE: The Sun
