By Pat Gbemudu
To further prove that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State’s dedication to enhancing the welfare of Special Needs Persons goes beyond mere compliance State actors, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, joined by Directors in the Commission, has adopted and paid for health insurance for 295 members of the State chapter’s of Joint National Association of Persons With Disability (JONAPWD), drawn from the 25 Local Government Areas of the State.
While Olorogun Dr Isaac Akpoveta paid for 250 beneficiaries comprised 10 Special Needs Persons from JONAPWD drawn from each of the 25 Local Government Areas of the State, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Comrade Martin Bolum, adopted and paid health insurance premiums for 10 persons amounting to #70,000, the Director of Finance and Investment, Mr. Henry Edozie, also paid for 10 persons, while the Director for Legal Services, Richard Nagberi, Esq, paid for five persons, amongst other support.
Speaking last weekend in Asaba, Akpoveta, said the programme under the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative (IEAI) was aimed at giving opportunity to well-meaning Deltans to sponsor the less privileged for the health insurance scheme of the commission.
He stated that the enrollment would enable them to receive quality healthcare services and be protected from the financial hazards of high out-of-pocket medical costs.
Akpoveta acknowledged the unique challenges faced by Special Needs Persons / Less Privilege, including social stigma, discrimination, and limited access to essential services, adding that it is the collective responsibility of citizens to challenge such barriers and create an inclusive society that respects and values the contributions of every citizen, even as he reaffirmed DSCHC’S commitment to ensuring their inclusion, support, and equal opportunities within the society.
While noting that Governor Oborevwori want MORE, not just for the peace but for better healthcare services in the State, Akpoveta asserted that the Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda has provided the platform for all residents of Delta state to have access to quality and affordable healthcare.
The Director General of DSCHC appealed to philanthropists, High Net-Worth Individuals (HNI), and organizations in the country to come to the aid of Special Needs Persons and adopt and purchase health insurance premiums at 7,000 Naira only per person into the Commission, as government alone cannot do it all.
Commending DSCHC, the Chairman JONAPWD, Delta State Chapter, Comrade Ernest Igbuzor expressed appreciation to Dr. Isaac Akpoveta for his kind gesture.
Comrade Igbuzor said,” I am so delighted for what is happening today, we thank God that it has come to pass, as you can see that the people with disabilities are happy and I am personally happy because it is what I always plan for my people.
”Some of our people had suffered from health challenges such as malaria, typhoid and some had died in the process because of non provision of health care services.
“I thank God that the DG, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta has made it possible for my people living with disabilities to get enrolled into the State health insurance scheme.
“He has assured us that after registration of my people today, they can now use the insurance card given to them to obtain medical care services from any hospital of their choice in the State”, Igbuzor stressed.
Some of the beneficiaries interviewed thanked the Director-General, Dr. Akpoveta for the good opportunity given to them to assess healthcare services free of charge in hospitals of their choice.
Highpoints of the event was the capturing and presentation of Health Insurance Identity Cards to beneficiaries.