From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
The Delta State government has said it is expanding the coverage of the health insurance programme to accommodate students of tertiary institutions.
Director General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Dr. Isaac Akpoveta stated this during the official launch of the Tertiary Institution Social Health Insurance Program (TISHIP) at Dennis Osadebey University, Asaba.
Akpoveta said the commission was seriously discussing with other states with the aim of providing quality health care to university students.
According to him, the TISHIP is designed to provide access to quality healthcare for students at the clinics in various higher institutions.
“If your clinic cannot handle it, they refer you to higher centres like Federal Medical Centre or Asaba Specialist Hospital to receive quality care.
“Again, if you are on holidays, or out of campus, with your card you can move to anywhere in the state,” he said.
Akpoveta stated that the programmes include quality health plan, formal and informal health plan, adding that “we are implementing access finance initiatives that allows you to get to these areas in Delta to receive care.
“We have registered over 1.8 million Deltans into the scheme. So your coming today as other universities will join us into this scheme, our numbers will double.”
Vice Chancellor of Dennis Osadebey University, Prof. Ben Oghojafor, said the health of both students and staffs is very important.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Christopher Chukwuji, the VC said “the students health is very important that is why we have invited the state health officials under contributory health insurance scheme to come and discuss with us and after discussion, next stage of the process will be unfolded.
“I want to appeal and encourage every student to take this very seriously, I know you have been keyed into family NHIS
or other health scheme. If you have any health issue, it will not be easy to say because you have a family doctor at home. You stay where you are at least to receive heath care.”