By Pat Gbemudu
The Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), has commended the management of the State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC) for all the strategies adopted to ensuring that more Deltans were enrolled into the scheme, even as they asked for quality assurance as the enrollees increases.
The Chairman, DTHA Committee on Health, Hon Ferguson Onwo, made the commendation when he led members of the Committee on an oversight function to the head office of DSCHC, in Asaba, on Wednesday.
Other members of the Committee led by Hon. Onwo were the Committee’s Vice Chairman, Hon Emeka Asamuta, Festus Utuamah, member, Hon Perkins Umukoro, member, and Mathew Omonade, member.
While saying quality health care is a key component of the MORE AGENDA of the Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori’s-led administration, the Hon. Ferguson Onwo’s-led Committee emphasized the importance of adequate and quick response to the needs of patients that seek medical attentions across health facilities in the state.
“There’s need for efficient healthcare delivery system in the State. And we will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to restore sanity where it is lacking in the state’s health institutions.”. Hon. Onwo stressed, while Commending the Commission.
While assuring DSCHC of legislative support that can assist it to be attractive to the masses, the State Assembly Committee on Health noted that government’s goal of accessible and affordable health care in the state can only be said to have been achieved, when Health Workers played their roles effectively and in accordance with tenets of the profession.
“We can assure DSCHC of the readiness of the House Committee on Health to synergies with it in ensuring that challenges faced were addressed to enhance health care delivery services at the grassroots.”
Reeling out the Commission’s operations Overview and 2024 Goals earlier, the Director General (D-G) of DSCHC, Olorogun Dr Issac Apkoveta stated that “DSCHS is an insurance program ensuring access to high-quality healthcare services by spreading financial risk through regular contributions. It offers four health plans: Formal, Informal, Equity, and Private, with access beginning at the primary level and referrals to higher facilities when needed. Accredited healthcare providers adhere to quality standards, and services become accessible 60-90 days after full contribution payment.”
Adding, Akpoveta said ” DSCHC’s objectives focus on enhancing access to quality healthcare, providing financial protection, fostering partnerships, ensuring service quality, community engagement, innovation, and capacity building. These efforts aim to effectively implement, regulate, and supervise the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme, ensuring equitable access to healthcare, financial protection, quality service delivery, and private sector engagement across the state.”
Dr. Akpoveta noted that DSCHC has added private health facilities into the scheme as using only public health institutions can not meet up with demands of numerous enrollees into the system.
On the Commission’s 2024 Goals and Targets, the D-G disclosed that “In 2024, DSCHC aims to expand coverage through initiatives like the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative, Artisan Enrollee Inducement Initiative, and Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Program. It prioritizes improving service quality through training programs, infrastructure development, and quality assurance measures. Additionally, DSCHC focuses on fostering innovative healthcare solutions leveraging technology and modern practices. Community outreach and education initiatives are intensified to promote the contributory healthcare scheme and health-seeking behaviors among residents.”
“Also, our Privacy Policy ensures the protection of personal data in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, outlining data collection, usage, rights, legal basis, retention, security measures, disclosure, and confidentiality rights.
“Through these initiatives, DSCHC strives to achieve its vision of a robust and sustainable healthcare system, ensuring the health and wellbeing of all residents of Delta State. ” Akpoveta asserted.
Akpoveta thanked the State Assembly Committee on Health for the oversight and familiarization tour to the Commission.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Commission, Dr Austin Obido, said the Commission intends to enroll one Million residents in the state this year.
Obidi called on corporate organizations and well to do individuals to help enroll poor and indigent families.