There was ovation and sigh of relief among 200 indigent residents of the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State when it was announced that their health had been guaranteed for one year by the member representing the constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Frank Esenwah.
Esenwah said he had paid health insurance premium for 200 indigent constituents for the year 2024 in a bid to cushion the effects of the ongoing economic hardship.
The lawmaker made this knows on Monday during the flag-off of indigent enrollee adoption initiative in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
He said, “As a result of economic hardship in the country, some people, especially at the rural areas, cannot afford healthcare.
“So, I decided to pay for 200 persons for a start to enable them access health care at our various health facilities in the communities.“I paid for one year, at the expiration; I will renew the premium, because it is annual payment.“Going forward, I will add to the number and I’m appealing to organizations, clubs and other philanthropists to pay health insurance for our people.”
Chairman of the commission, Dr. Augustine Obidi, who commended the lawmaker for being the first to pay for 200 indigents in the state, said the commission was upgrading health facilities in the area for service delivery.
He noted that some of the members of the commission had also started paying premium for indigents to enable them to access health care, calling on others to emulate the kind gesture.
The Director General, Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Isaac Okpoveta, urged top government officials, well-meaning individuals and philanthropists to enroll indigents to enable them – access healthcare.
Okpoveta said, “It is with great sense of responsibility that I stand before you today to flag-off the commencement of the indigent enrollee adoption initiative of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission.
“This initiative is a clarion call to well-meaning Deltans, both home and in the diaspora, to support indigent persons in their constituencies to live a better life.
“To purchase health insurance for a neighbor to enable him access quality health care without the fear of paying high medical bills, and to enable him live a healthier life because health is wealth.
“It is a clarion call on the political juggernauts; political leaders, local government chairmen, commissioners, members of state House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate and all political appointees.”
Akpoveta said with just N7,000, one could purchase the state health insurance card to access quality healthcare throughout the year for one person.
The highlight of the event was the award of Health Ambassador to the lawmaker by the Delta State Health Contributory Commission.
