More indigent women in Delta State are being enrolled into the Delta State Health Insurance Scheme through the sponsorship of some privileged persons in the state.
As of the last count, it was 300 indigent women from the various kingdoms of Urhobo ethnic nationality, sponsored by John Nani, chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
Following the good gesture, the women were enrolled and captured as beneficiaries of the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative (IEAI) of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission.
This brings to 540 Urhobo women Nani has sponsored into the initiative since April this year.
Speaking during the enrollment exercise, Isaac Akpoveta, the director-general/chief executive officer of the commission, said that the gesture was a demonstration of commitment to social responsibility and the welfare of the vulnerable.
He commended Nani and noted that though healthcare is a fundamental human right, many cannot access it; hence, the importance of such philanthropic efforts is to ensure no one is left behind.
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He thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his support for the scheme, which has enabled the commission, adding that before the 2030 deadline of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Delta State would have achieved the Universal Health Coverage goal.
He praised the readiness of the commission for a hitch-free implementation and called on well-meaning individuals, associations, and groups, including those in the diaspora, to key into the IAEI and purchase health insurance for as many indigent persons as they could, at the subsidised annual cost of N7,000 per person.
Nani, represented by Happy Otojareri, hailed the state government for the initiative, describing it as apt considering the inflation that has led to the high cost of medication in the country.
Rose Oghene, president of the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) Women’s Wing, and other women leaders, who spoke, expressed gratitude over the gesture.
According to them, the adoption and enrollment of their members into the scheme have not only helped to spread good health in the Urhobo nation but have also led to a significant increase in membership of the UPU Women’s Wing.
The beneficiaries thanked the state government, their sponsor, and the UPU leadership for selecting them to enjoy free healthcare for a year.
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