As part of measures to continue to ensure quality healthcare delivery through the contributory health insurance scheme, Delta State Government on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding and an Renovate, Operate and Transfer agreement with a consortium of medical service providers under the aegis of Pharmaccess.

Governor Okowa at the event which took place in Asaba, disclosed that the MoU and the ROT were necessary as it will check rural/urban drift by people seeking for medical care, noting that with the agreements, medical facilities of international standards would be available at different rural localities of the state.

According to the governor who spoke through the Chairman, Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, “There are several health centres in different communities that have not been put to use, with this agreements, the private sector will take over the running of the centres, equip them to standards and ensure that they are operational 24 hours for our people who have enrolled in the contributory health insurance scheme.”

The Director-General of the DSCHC, Dr Ben Nkechika, stated that, innovation which led to the signing of the agreement was very important “to achieve the desired milestone.”

He noted that, with the agreements, the private sector will have access to funds at a single digit interest loan from the Bank of Industry to fix and run the abandoned health centres.

Dr Olamide Okulaja of Pharmaccess had said Access To Finance programme was very important to make funds available to the private sector that will partner the Delta State government in achieving quality and affordable healthcare for Deltans through the contributory health insurance scheme.

Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Delta State, Hon. Itiako Ikpokpo commended Governor Okowa’s administration for its commitment to providing affordable health care for Deltans, disclosing that the governor had earlier approved for renovation, 107 health centres across the state.

“We are direct beneficiaries of this project because, primary healthcare is the function of the local government,” he said, assuring that all the local government chairman will work for the programme to succeed.

•Photo shows Chairman, Contribution Health Care, Olorogun Isaac Akpoveter (middle); Director General Contribution Health Care, Dr. Ben Nkechika (left) and representative of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Charles Ofili, during the Signing of the Felicities in Delta State for State Contributing Health Scheme.

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