By Onyekachukwu Utebor, Warri
The Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC) has warned its over 200 newly recruited permanent staff against indiscipline and unethical conduct, charging them to put the welfare of health insurance enrollees above personal interests.
The warning was issued by the Chairman of the Commission’s Board, Dr Austin Obidi, and the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Olorogun Dr Isaac Akpoveta, during an onboarding and orientation programme for new and existing permanent staff at the Commission’s headquarters in Asaba.
Obidi told the new employees that their appointment was not merely a job opportunity but a responsibility that could directly affect public confidence in Delta State’s health insurance scheme.
He urged them to uphold integrity, discipline and professionalism, charging them to “become worthy ambassadors of their families and the Commission.”
The Board Chairman also asked the workers to acquaint themselves with the Commission’s policies, operational guidelines and procedures, stressing that strict compliance with established rules would promote efficiency and strengthen public trust.
He said the welfare of enrollees must remain central to their duties, noting that the quality of service delivered by the workforce would determine, to a large extent, the success of the Commission’s mandate.
Akpoveta, while welcoming the new staff, said the recruitment marked a new phase in the Commission’s efforts to strengthen the state’s contributory health insurance system under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E. Agenda.
He explained that health insurance was designed to shield individuals and families from the financial hardship associated with accessing healthcare.
The DSCHC boss therefore charged the new workforce to treat enrollees with respect and ensure they receive timely, efficient and quality services whenever they interact with the Commission.
“Unethical conduct will not be tolerated,” Akpoveta warned, stressing that the Commission’s operations were anchored on “trust, professionalism and accountability.”
He directed the employees to study the Commission’s staff handbook and Standard Operating Procedures, while urging them to embrace teamwork, confidentiality, innovation, dignity and fairness.
Akpoveta also commended Governor Oborevwori for approving the recruitment of autonomous staff for the Commission, describing it as “a significant step towards strengthening the state’s health insurance workforce.”
According to him, the expanded workforce would boost the Commission’s capacity to deliver effective health insurance services to residents across the state.
Also speaking, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Health Monitoring, Mr Christopher Otene, said the state government remained committed to making health insurance accessible and affordable to Deltans.
Otene urged the new employees to translate the government’s policy into quality service delivery, stressing that enrollees must experience efficiency and responsiveness whenever they seek assistance.
The orientation programme featured interactive sessions and a question-and-answer segment, during which participants sought clarification on their responsibilities, operational procedures and other aspects of their duties.
The Commission said the recruitment and orientation were part of efforts to build a competent, ethical and responsive workforce capable of advancing universal health coverage and achieving its vision of “M.O.R.E. Health for All Deltans.”
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