ASABA/Nigeria: Dr. Ebiakofa Alfred, the Acting Director General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, recently emphasized the significant advantages of health insurance for every household in Delta State. He stressed that not only the public sector but also the informal sector should capitalize on the opportunities provided by the Scheme to actively participate in the program.
Speaking during a media session with some journalists in the State, Dr. Ebiakofa highlighted the various benefits individuals stand to gain as contributors to the health insurance scheme. He cited instances where the scheme had facilitated access to quick, adequate, and affordable medical services, preventing individuals from depleting their savings or compromising their projects.
Dr. Ebiakofa expressed dissatisfaction with the current health coverage figures, revealing that the formal sector has 170,000 enrollees while the informal sector has only 20,000. He expressed a desire to increase enrollment to about six million individuals, aiming to cover a vast majority of the state’s population under the health plan. Dr. Ebiakofa argued that achieving this goal would contribute to the State’s economic development through improved health outcomes.
“We are trying to consolidate and make inroads into the huge informal sector population. We don’t want to base our success judging from the equity health plan which stands at 1.2 million enrollees that get benefits and exit until another opportunity beckons,” Dr. Ebiakofa explained.
The health insurance scheme in Delta State offers the cheapest premium in the country, with an annual fee of #7000 for individuals in the informal sector. This premium covers all medical expenses, including hospital cards, consultation fees, basic lab tests, treatment, and even surgery in some cases, both at public and private hospitals.
Dr. Ebiakofa emphasized the Commission’s commitment to building a universal health coverage system where everyone can access affordable healthcare services without being left behind. He underlined the importance of the health insurance pool to measure the effective coverage of the health plan.
However, Dr. Ebiakofa acknowledged the existence of some issues in the health insurance scheme, but assured that the Commission has well-defined mechanisms in place to address these challenges.
In an effort to engage the informal sector and promote their enrollment in the health insurance scheme, Dr. Ebiakofa proposed a workable idea, urging all stakeholders to join the campaign. He set a vision to enroll 100,000 new informal sector participants in the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme by the 100th day of the Governor’s tenure. With an affordable annual premium of just 7000 Naira, individuals can bid farewell to extravagant hospital bills and experience accessible healthcare.
Dr. Ebiakofa called upon public-spirited individuals, religious bodies, philanthropists, Traditional Rulers, Honourable Members, and well-meaning residents of Delta State to contribute to the campaign by sponsoring at least 100 persons in their locality. Through collective effort, he aims to make healthcare more accessible and equitable for all in Delta State.
