Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme has  announced the ministry’s new target of fresh 100,000 enrollees into the State Contributory Health Scheme to mark Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s 100 days in office as Governor.

Dr. Onojaeme who made the announcement yesterday during a live broadcast to Deltans, said the move was to improve access to health coverage in the state in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 3 which is aimed at enhancing health and well-being for all citizens.

He explained that with just N7,000 a person can secure the state driven health insurance cover for the entire year.

“What this means is that once you are registered with the contributory health scheme with the sum of N7,000, you will enjoy free primary and secondary health care which includes free surgeries like Appendectomy, Herniorrhaphy (hernia operation) and other minor surgeries for an entire year after which you are expected to renew.

“Recall that children under 5 years and pregnant women are already being covered for free medical care by the state Government which includes caesarean session and other maternal complications,”

He however, called on good spirited individuals, philanthropists, traditional rulers, religious leaders and political office holders to sponsor their constituents and followers to enable them have access to free primary and secondary health care.

The Honourable commissioner said that he had personally registered one thousand persons into the scheme through the informal sector.

This indeed will enhance access to free healthcare within the state in line with the SDGs.

With more than 1,441,109 enrollees—1,261,806 of whom are under the equity plan and include pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under five—Delta State currently leads the nation in contributory health insurance.

According to the Commissioner, as at July 31, 2023, the formal sector accounts for  158,462 enrollees while the informal Sector contributes about 20,841 enrollees.

He said that children under 5 accounts for 769,367 while maternal enrollees are 492,174 and the elderly accounting for 265 enrollees.