200 indigent residents of Oshimili North Local Government Area in Delta State were filled with both jubilation and relief upon learning that their healthcare needs had been secured for one year by their representative in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Frank Esenwah.
Esenwah announced that he had covered the health insurance premiums for 200 indigent constituents for the year 2024, aiming to alleviate the impact of the ongoing economic challenges.
This revelation was made by the lawmaker on Monday during the commencement of the 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.”
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Acknowledging the lawmaker’s commendable action of covering the health insurance premiums for 200 indigents in the state, Dr. Augustine Obidi, the commission’s chairman, also disclosed plans to upgrade health facilities in the area for improved 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 noted that for a modest fee of N7,000, individuals could secure the state health insurance card, granting them access to healthcare services of high quality for one year.
A significant aspect of the event was the acknowledgment of the lawmaker’s contributions to healthcare, symbolized by the award of Health Ambassador by the Delta State Health Contributory Commission.