Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday said
his administration is committed and truly on course to providing quality
healthcare services for all residents in the state through an efficient and
sustainable approach.
Okowa stated this during the Rollout and
Implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) at Akwukwu-Igbo
in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr.
Kingsley Otuaro, noted that “a healthy state is a wealthy state,” saying provision
of healthcare facilities and ensuring good health of the people are an integral
part of his ‘Stronger Delta’ agenda with a view to consolidating on the
prosperity, peace and progress of the people.
While congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari on
the successful launch of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund in January this
year, Okowa conveyed the gratitude of all Deltans on the opportunity availed
them to participate in the programme.
"I want to thank the Federal Ministry of
Health for the opportunity accorded the Delta State, our donor and development
partners for their tireless efforts," he stated.
The governor, while appreciating the state Ministry
of Health Team, the state Contributory Health Commission, the Primary Health
Development Agency as well as the Local Government Authorities for their immense
contributions towards ensuring the successful kickoff and implementation of the
programme in the state, noted that it is gratifying to witness the actualisation
of the National Health Act which he (Okowa) during his time as a senator helped
to ensure its passage in the Senate.
He disclosed that Delta State was first in the
country to commence the programme with the establishment of the Delta State
Contributory Health Commission in 2016.
According to him, "We have demonstrated strong
commitment towards attaining Universal Health Coverage especially in the last
four years."
Okowa revealed further that as at May 2019, over
530,664 Deltans, including pregnant women, elderly persons, traditional rulers,
widows, artisans and others have been enrolled into Equity Plans, Formal Plans,
and Informal Plans.
He added that the services are being provided under
the Commission in over 110 primary healthcare facilities, 65 secondary
facilities and 52 private healthcare facilities spread across the state.
"We shall continue to do our best to deliver healthcare
for all Deltans in line with the Universal Health Coverage of the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals. We resolved to work tirelessly with all relevant
stakeholders at the state and federal levels in the next four years to ensure
our primary healthcare system is responsive to the needs of all Deltans,"
the governor said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of
Health, Dr. Minnie Oseji, disclosed that 229 Primary Healthcare facilities
across the state have been selected and are at various stages of facility
upgrade in order to give quality assurance for the implementation of the BHCPF.
Oseji added that the implementation of the BHCPF
would further strengthen the state Health Insurance Scheme by reducing out of
pocket spending for health services thereby encouraging rural dwellers to take
advantage of the inherent opportunity to enroll in the scheme.
She noted that the BHCPF programme is expected to
provide free access to malaria treatment, immunisation, antenatal and other
services.
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