The Delta State Contributory Health Commission has stated that over 560 public and private hospitals have been enlisted under the state health insurance services.
The Director-General of the Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, disclosed this on Thursday while speaking with journalists in Asaba, the Delta State.
Akpoveta also disclosed that the state government through the scheme pays for over 300 caesarean sections monthly for women across the state.
He stated, “If you do cesarean section in a private hospital, you will pay N300, 000 to N500, 000 then multiply it by 300 for every month.
“The state government through the scheme augments the medical bills of over 2 million persons who registered under the scheme across the state.
” Since we started operations in January 2017 till date, we have enrolled quite over 35 percent of Deltans into the scheme which is the highest of any state in the country.
According to him, Delta state is number one in every parameter of health insurance in the country.
“I can tell you that we cover the bills of over 300 cesarean sections monthly at a cost of over N500,000 but it has been a silent activity of the government that people are not aware of,” Akpoveta noted.
He also disclosed that the state has continued to ensure children under the age of 0-5 years old under the scheme receive medical care at no cost, stating that, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is passionate and committed to ensuring vulnerable persons are protected.
” I am glad that you mentioned that the yearly premium of N7,000 for health insurance is little compared to the huge financial burden on medical care but this is possible because the government has been subsidizing.
“In 2016, when we did the accrual determination of how much should cover an individual healthcare in a year; it was about 18, 000. By now, it would be higher but the government of Delta State under Sheriff Oborevwori believes in taking care of its people”, he noted.
During the facility tour of the complex, Akpoveta posited that the facilities available were a testament to the investment put in place to ensure the smooth running of the scheme.
While emphasising the commitment of the state government to continuously deliver quality healthcare to residents, he called on well-meaning Deltans to support the scheme by adopting and buying health insurance fees for indigents across the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of Asaba Correspondent Chapel, Mr. Ifeanyi Olannye, lauded the Government for its bid to provide quality healthcare at little cost to Delta, saying that with the economic realities for today; a fee of N7, 000 for medical services for a year is unbelievable.