Deltans Anticipate Healthcare Reforms under Governor Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda
By Donald Ojebo
ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, has shared insights into the state’s plans for reforming the State Contributory Health Scheme through the M.O.R.E Agenda spearheaded by Governor Oborevwori. The objective is to revamp the Commission and enhance its overall performance.
During the meeting, Dr. Onojaeme met with the CEO/Permanent Secretary of the State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Paul Okubor, and the Board Secretary to discuss the current status, progress, and challenges faced by the Board. Key highlights of Dr. Onojaeme’s remarks included a commitment to include the informal sector, a significant portion of the state’s population, within the healthcare system. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring prompt payments for services rendered to hospitals.
Addressing the issue of the Medical Residency Training Fund, Dr. Onojaeme expressed concerns about its coordination and directed the Ministry’s Director of Medical Services and Training to unify its implementation across the state.
Dr. Onojaeme stressed the crucial role played by the Hospitals Management Board (HMB) in delivering healthcare services across the state. He acknowledged the current leadership’s efforts but called for even greater contributions from the Board.
In his presentation, Dr. Paul Okubor, CEO/Permanent Secretary of the Delta State Hospitals Management Board, outlined the Board’s composition, including six Central Hospitals and various General and Cottage hospitals, all coordinated from Asaba. He highlighted the Board’s significant role as the primary healthcare service provider in the state, catering to both fee-paying and health insurance patients under the State Contributory Health Scheme.
Dr. Okubor also discussed the Residency Training Programme, which provides specialized care personnel for HMB hospitals. He noted that the program currently operates in three specialties at Central Hospital Warri and family medicine training at Eku Baptist Hospital, Eku.
One of the major challenges highlighted was the shortage of healthcare personnel. Despite the approval for nearly 1,000 healthcare personnel in the past, there remains a significant gap due to retirements, lack of new hires, and personnel transfers to other health establishments. Dr. Okubor specifically mentioned the non-replacement of personnel who left HMB to start Asaba Specialist Hospital and those who moved to the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara.
Additionally, Dr. Okubor emphasized the disparity in healthcare worker distribution among various healthcare establishments in the state, resulting in substantial work pressure on HMB staff compared to other sister hospitals.
Addressing infrastructure challenges, Dr. Okubor called for more equipment, building renovations, addressing bat infestations, facility expansions, and alternative power and energy provision.
Regarding the State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Okubor acknowledged the critical role played by HMB hospitals in the scheme’s success. However, he highlighted concerns about the Commission’s delayed payments to hospitals, sometimes extending up to 18 months for service packages.
