…To sanction personnel extorting pregnant women
Eight years into the official launching, Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme boasts of 2.78 million enrollees, even as it extends medical care to rural communities and hard-to-reach residents who never previously accessed medical care.
The state government is working hard to ensure that the vulnerable in the state, who are the major focus of the scheme, enjoy the medical services unhindered.
To this end, a directive has been issued to the effect that, from January 1, 2026, no pregnant woman should be made to pay any money for medical treatment under the guise of registration until delivery.
It was alleged that some medical personnel extort some beneficiaries of the scheme or prevent them from accessing medicare that ought to be free under the scheme, including charging pregnant women for registration.
But Isaac Akpoveta, director-general of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), while declaring an end to that era, warned that any medical personnel who collect money from pregnant women and children under the age of five would be sanctioned.
Speaking during an interaction with journalists in Asaba, he said that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has been funding the medical bills of pregnant women and children under Age 5 which he said are in the equity plan.
Clarification
Tagged ‘Free walk-in maternal healthcare services for pregnant women and children under five years across all DSCHC-accredited public and private health facilities in Delta State, Akpoveta who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the commission, explained that the policy is aimed at removing barriers that delay or prevent pregnant women and young children from accessing timely healthcare, especially in emergency situations.
He clarified that registration and documentation processes for beneficiaries can be completed after accessing care, and that no pregnant woman or child under five should be denied treatment due to registration challenges.
He said: “The initiative reflects the Commission’s commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes, reducing maternal and infant mortality, and expanding access to quality healthcare for vulnerable populations across Delta State.
“All DSCHC-accredited health facilities — both public and private—have been directed to fully comply with the walk-in maternal care policy.”
He added that the Commission would deploy monitoring mechanisms to ensure effective implementation and adherence to service standards.
The new policy complements ongoing reforms within the Commission, including system upgrades and service delivery improvements designed to promote equity, efficiency, and universal health coverage in the state.
According to him, the policy has been formally communicated to doctors and Officers-in-Charge (OICs) across accredited facilities during a two-day training session that concluded recently, to ensure smooth rollout and uniform understanding of the new directive.
The Director-General commended Sheriff Oborevwori for his continued support for the health sector, describing the walk-in maternal care initiative as a compassionate and forward-looking intervention aligned with the administration’s M.O.R.E Agenda of inclusive and people-centred governance.
On commission’s achievements
The DG listed the achievements of the state governor in the health contributory sector of the state in the outgoing year and explained that the scheme was officially launched on January 1, 2017 but gained renewed momentum due to continuity in leadership, which he described as rare in public service.
The scheme is ranked first in Nigeria in health insurance enrollment, with over 2.78 million enrollees, making Delta the leading state in health insurance coverage nationwide, he said.
He explained how the commission had advanced into digital technology to promote transparency and eliminate fraud, verifying beneficiaries through facial recognition technology before receiving treatment to ensure that only registered enrollees benefit from the scheme.
He further disclosed that special health insurance units were being established in major hospitals, with dedicated doctors, to reduce waiting time and complaints among beneficiaries.
Akpoveta noted that the scheme had contributed to a significant reduction in maternal and child mortality in Delta State and had received recognition at both national and international levels.
He attributed all the successes of the health contributory sector to Governor Oborevwori’s strong political will and sustainable financial support backing the health sector to ensure that every household has access to better health in the state.
A call for support
The DG called on corporate organizations, individuals, and development partners to lend their support through corporate social responsibility initiatives.
