In a major step toward expanding access to healthcare for vulnerable residents, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Community Development, Dr. Patrick Ighomrore JP, has sponsored the enrollment of over 150 indigent persons—mostly Uvwie indigenes and residents—into the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme.
The event, held on Tuesday, July 15, at Ugwu’Udi Family Hall, Egodokporo in Effurun, attracted a large turnout of beneficiaries, community stakeholders, and dignitaries who lauded the initiative as a bold move in advancing grassroots healthcare access.
Dr. Ighomrore, a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, said the initiative is his modest contribution to the realization of a healthier Uvwie and Delta State, emphasizing that the scheme transcends social and political boundaries.
“This gathering is not just ceremonial; it is a reaffirmation of our collective resolve to improve human welfare and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare,” Ighomrore declared. “Inspired by the people-focused vision of His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, I have taken this step to enroll 150 men, women, and youths in Uvwie into the state’s health scheme, free of charge.”
He noted that the scheme is designed to reach those who often fall through the cracks in the healthcare system. “No one should be left behind when it comes to health. This effort demonstrates that healthcare is not a luxury, but a fundamental human right,” he added.
The Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, who flagged off the enrollment under the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative (IEAI), praised Dr. Ighomrore for what he described as “a powerful act of philanthropy rooted in human compassion.”
“This is not just about paying for hospital visits. It’s about restoring dignity and ensuring that vulnerable members of our communities are not forgotten,” Dr. Akpoveta said.
To honor his commitment to healthcare advocacy, the DSCHC conferred on Dr. Ighomrore a Special Award as Health Insurance Ambassador (HIA), recognizing his outstanding contribution to deepening access for vulnerable populations.
“The IEAI has enrolled more than 2.6 million Deltans to date. Dr. Ighomrore’s intervention adds meaningful momentum to that progress,” Akpoveta said, calling on others in the private sector and the diaspora to emulate the gesture.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Ighomrore said the initiative would be sustained and expanded over time. “I believe that development is most impactful when it directly touches lives,” he said. “I call on other well-meaning individuals to see healthcare support as an investment in human capital.”
Chairman of the Delta State Internal Revenue Board, Hon. Solomon Ighrakpata, applauded the DSCHC’s transparency and commitment, stressing that Dr. Ighomrore’s action embodies the spirit of community service promoted under Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda.
Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sunny Ekedeyan, and Delta Trust Mortgage Bank Managing Director, Mr. Jude Ogbimi, were also present at the event, alongside a host of political and community leaders from Uvwie.
Beneficiaries of the health insurance enrollment, including Kojo Okorokporo and Blessing Kanabar, expressed deep gratitude and pledged to rally support for both Dr. Ighomrore and the governor in future political engagements.
“This intervention is a lifeline for many of us,” one beneficiary said. “Dr. Ighomrore has given us hope, and we pray for greater doors to open for him.”
The Delta State Contributory Health Scheme continues to stand as a pillar of the state’s human development agenda, with initiatives like the IEAI signaling that even the most vulnerable citizens can access lifesaving care when the right partnerships emerge.