Governor Sheriff Oborevwori yesterday declared that Delta State is the first to implement the mandatory health insurance scheme, adding that accessible and affordable healthcare was non-negotiable for a healthy, vibrant, and productive population.
The governor stated this during a courtesy visit from the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), led by its national chairman, Wale Oladigbolu and the national president of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Prof. Cyril Osifo at the Government House, Asaba.
Oborevwori said: “It is gratifying to know that this conference is focusing on universal health coverage. Accessible and affordable healthcare is a non-negotiable for a healthy, vibrant, and productive population.
“We are the first state to implement the mandatory health insurance scheme, with over 1.2 million enrollees. That makes us the only state that has achieved over 20 per cent coverage of its citizens in the health scheme.
“This administration will continue to expand the capacity of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission to maintain its leadership position in the country.”
“As a government, we shall continue to leverage the knowledge, skill, and expertise of the community pharmacists to deliver quality health care to our people because they are the bridge between patients and medical practitioners.”
“We see you as partners in the healthcare delivery chain, and we will continue to provide the enabling environment for you to discharge your services.”
Meanwhile, Oladigbolu said the reason for their visit was for the National Scientific Conference of the Association, tagged “Asaba 2023,” with the theme, “Building Effective Community Pharmacy Services For Universal Health Coverage.”
He said the Asaba conference is being attended by over 8,000 pharmacists and 132 pharmaceutical companies operating in the country, noting that no fewer than 107 pharmacists in Delta State have been trained in vaccine administration.
He however, congratulated Oborevwori on his victory at the poll and assured him of the support of the association.
