Some enrollees in the Delta State Health Insurance Scheme, Nigeria, have accused health officials in the state of charging them illegal fees, notwithstanding their enrolment in the health insurance scheme.
The President of the Urhobo Women Wing, Mrs Rose, raised the alarm at the weekend during the distribution of health insurance cards to 300 indigent Urhobo women.
The cards were procured for the beneficiaries by a philanthropist, Chief John Nani, and distributed on Saturday at the Urhobo Cultural Centre, Okere.
“We are pleading with the state government to look into the activities of the staff in the hospital. Most times we access the facilities, they will still charge us money for one thing or the other.
“We beg you, sir, Dr Isaac Akpoveta, help us to carry this message to the staff of these hospitals to stop such charges even when we have our health insurance cards,” Urhobo Women Wing President said.
Oghene commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr Isaac Akpoveta, for the initiative.
In his remarks, Akpoveta applauded Nani for taking it upon himself to procure the health insurance package for 300 indigent residents.
He said the initiative was to help Delta State meet the 2030 deadline set by the United Nations for universal health coverage. “Today we are here, this time to flag off the registration of 300 indigent/vulnerable members drawn from the 24 kingdoms of the Urhobo nation, courtesy of a renowned philanthropist, Chief John Nani.
“Through the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative, we have created a platform where prominent personalities and high-net-worth individuals can make a tangible difference, by adopting vulnerable indigents and purchasing health insurance premiums on their behalf,” Akpoveta said.
According to him, the scheme has achieved remarkable success despite complaints from some quarters.
“It (complaint) is expected. If 600 persons are accessing the health centre, you cannot but find someone who has some complaints.
“So, we will take it up as a challenge and look into it to resolve such. Our services are free as long as you have been captured in the scheme,” he said.
SOURCE: PUNCH NEWS
