RELEVANT health and education policies remain one of the goals outlined in the five-point agenda encapsulated in the acronym SMART agenda of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration. In realization of the goal aimed at delivering prosperity for all Deltans, Governor Okowa, two months ago, forwarded the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, the Governor Board and for Connected Purposes bill to the state House of Assembly for consideration and possible passage.
The main thrust of the executive bill is to regulate, supervise, implement and ensure effective administration of the Delta State Contributory Health sector through the commission as well as to ensure that every resident of Delta State has good access to health care services. Essentially, the bill is conceived to ensure that every resident of Delta State has good access to health care services; ensure that all residents of Delta State have financial protection, physical access to quality and affordable health care services and protect families from the financial hardship of huge medical services.
Accordingly, the essence of the proposed bill is to limit the rise in the cost of healthcare services; ensure equitable distribution of health care costs across different income groups; maintain high standard of health care delivery services within the scheme; ensure efficiency in health care services delivery; improve and harness private sector participation in the provision of health care services and ensure appropriate patronage at all levels of the health care delivery system.
The proposed bill is to ensure the availability of alternative sources of funding for the health sector for improved services and in cases where residents do not have available medical and other health services to take such measures as are necessary to plan, organize and develop medical and other health services commensurate with the needs of the residents.
Accordingly, the purpose of the board is to ensure the effective implementation of the policies and procedures of the health scheme; issue appropriate regulations and guidelines as approved by the board to maintain the viability of the health scheme. The commission is also saddled with the responsibility of managing the health scheme in accordance with the provisions of the proposed bill as well as approved formats of contracts for HMOs and all health care providers. Besides, it will carry out public awareness and education on the establishment and management of the health scheme.
Among other things, the commission is also saddled with the responsibility of promoting the development of other programmes for wider participation and other payment mechanisms due to health care providers by the Health Maintenance Organization and it will also advise the relevant bodies on inter-relationship of the commission with other social security services.
So, at the presentation of the proposed bill before members of the House, the bill was received by the House and passed through first and second reading The passage of the second reading on the bill followed conclusion of debates on the merits and demerits of the bill by the House at its Wednesday plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya. The House Majority Leader, Hon Tim Owhefere, while opening debate on the merits of the bill, said the Delta State Contributory Health Commission bill if passed, would be of immense benefit to Deltans.
Hon Owhefere stated that the main thrust of the bill is to regulate, supervise, implement and effective administration of the health sector in Delta State through the commission. The lawmaker representing Isoko North Constituency noted that the bill sought to migrate the state into modernity in terms of the healthcare delivery as everybody resident in the state would access affordable and quality healthcare. He maintained that the commission would adequately cater for all strata of the state with everybody contributing to the scheme. The Majority Leader told members that the commission would have a Director-General and would be free from bureaucracy to enable the scheme work effectively.
Hon Owhefere emphasized that the bill was designed in such a way to eradicate quackery in the healthcare system of the state. In their contributions, Hon Alphonsus Ojo, (Ukwani); Samuel Mariere, (Ughelli North One); Anthony Elekeokwuri, (Ika North East) and Timi Tonye, (Patani), explained that the bill was geared towards providing sustainable healthcare programmes for Deltans in line with the prosperity for all Deltans agenda of the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. The lawmakers stated that the funding for the contributory scheme would not be a burden to the state govt as funds allocated to other health programs would be ploughed into the scheme in addition to donations from corporate bodies, the international community and other donor agencies.
They argued that the bill would adequately take care of the weak, aged, physically challenged and people in the rural areas that had been denied affordable healthcare. Also speaking on the merits of the bill, Hon Rueben Izeze, (Ughelli South),Avance Iwhurie, Ethiope East and Festus Okoh, (Ika South), said the bill, when passed and signed into law, will bring positive healthcare revolution in the state. The lawmakers noted that the development would also reposition healthcare system with modern facilities in the state. The Majority Leader, Hon Tim Owhefere in a motion, seconded by Hon. Samuel Mariere, (Ughelli North), moved for the second reading of the bill as no member spoke against it.
Subsequently, the Speaker, Hon. Monday Igbuya announced the setting up of an ad hoc committee to scrutinize the bill with the member representing Ukwuani Constituency, Hon Alphonsus Ojo, a medical doctor as chairman. Other members include, Hon. Godwin Abigor, (Warri South 1), Orezi Esievo, (Isoko South 1), Eriathake Ibori, Ethiope West and Evance Iwhurie, (Ethiope East), as members. Mr. Pen Ogheneraboke and Vincent Atuma would serve as Secretaries, while Barrister Smart Edoge is the Legal Officer for the Committee.