By Abel Johngold

In a bold move to cater for the treatment of children and pregnant women , the Delta State Government has disbursed N1 billion to the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Commission (DSCHC) to enhance healthcare services and incentivize hospitals to deliver better outcomes.

The Director-General and CEO of the DSCHC, Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, made this announcement on Monday, March 10, 2025, during a stakeholder engagement session with staff of the Hospital Management Board (HMB) at Asaba Specialist Hospital and General Hospital Okwe.

According to Dr. Akpoveta, the funds have already been distributed to hospitals partnering with the DSCHC, with a clear mandate to improve governance, boost human resources in primary healthcare, and enhance antenatal care coverage. “The N1 billion released by the government is aimed at strengthening healthcare facilities across the state. Hospitals are now receiving performance-based incentive payments to encourage significant improvements in maternal and child health,” he said.

Our correspondent gathered that Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH) has already used its share of the funds to acquire an X-ray machine, boosting diagnostic services and overall patient care.

Dr. Akpoveta also revealed that the DSCHC has revised its policies for greater efficiency, ensuring that healthcare providers fully understand and implement the evolving health insurance framework. “We have visited nearly nine medical zones, including Bomadi, Ughelli, Sapele, Ekpan, Warri, Eku, Agbor, Ogwashi-Uku, and Central Hospital Warri, to ensure compliance. We are also reaching Specialist Hospital Asaba, Federal Medical Center (FMC), Central Hospital Okwe, Kwale, and Oleh in the coming days.”

To further streamline healthcare services, he advocated for the establishment of Health Insurance Units in major hospitals, where enrollees can receive specialized and expedited care. “Health insurance patients should not be mixed with the general population for easy identification and prompt attention. We have paid in advance for their treatment, including medications, so there is no excuse for delays.”

To curb fraud, DSCHC agents have been deployed to hospital pharmacies to monitor drug dispensation and prevent cases where hospitals bill for drugs that were never provided to patients. “Hospitals caught forwarding fraudulent bills will face severe sanctions, including financial penalties of up to N200,000 per offense and potential refunds to affected patients,” he warned.

Dr. Akpoveta expressed serious concern over the mass influx of non-residents from other states taking advantage of Delta’s free maternal healthcare services. “Delta is the only state in Nigeria where pregnant women receive completely free care, from antenatal to delivery—including caesarean sections. This has turned Delta into a ‘medical pilgrimage’ site, with expectant mothers trooping in from Port Harcourt, Lagos, and neighboring states.”

He revealed that over half of recent childbirths in Delta hospitals involved non-residents, distorting state health statistics and straining resources meant for actual Delta residents.

To curb this abuse, strict residency verification measures will now be enforced. “We are not saying non-indigenes will be denied treatment, but you must prove you live in Delta. Bring your voter’s card, utility bill, or any document proving residency. Only then will you qualify for free treatment. Otherwise, you will have to pay.”

He emphasized that these measures were essential to protect Delta’s healthcare system from being overwhelmed by outsiders.

With N1 billion injected into the health sector, a crackdown on fraudulent billing, and a new residency verification policy, Delta State is taking bold steps to ensure its healthcare system remains effective, sustainable, and focused on its people.

The question remains: Will other states follow Delta’s lead, or will they continue to let their citizens flood Delta hospitals for free care?

Stay tuned as the DSCHC intensifies its monitoring and enforcement efforts to ensure quality healthcare delivery for Delta residents.