The Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC) has expressed readiness to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to reduce health-related financial shocks among business owners.
Speaking at the inaugural Delta State MSME Summit, held at the Mariam Babangida Leisure Park, Asaba, under the auspices of the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency DEMSMEDA, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, emphasized the critical role affordable healthcare plays in strengthening micro, small and medium-scale enterprises across the state.
The DG represented by Dr, Okeoghene Owigho said the theme of the summit “Advancing Delta MSMEs: From Vision to MORE Value,” aligns closely with the state government’s MORE Agenda, which prioritizes development, technological innovation and economic expansion.
Dr. Akpoveta said while equipment and capital are important, “the greatest asset of any MSME is people,”stressing that entrepreneurs often face personal and financial ruin from unexpected medical bills. He noted that a single illness could “shut down a micro-business or erase years of progress.”
The DG said the Commission now has over 2.75 million enrollees, representing nearly half of Delta State’s population, with a mandate to ensure that no resident suffers financial hardship due to poor health.
He highlighted a key component of the Commission’s strategy, which is the Informal Sector Plan, an annual ₦7,000 health insurance package designed to support MSME owners, artisans, traders and low-income workers, and urged corporate bodies and philanthropists to support the Indigent Enrollee Programme, which enables sponsors to fund healthcare coverage for vulnerable residents.
Dr. Akpoveta described the programme as one of the simplest but most impactful ways to uplift communities, saying that sponsorship “does more than provide healthcare—it protects livelihoods, keeps businesses open, and sustains family hope.”
The DSCHC boss lauded the organizers and partners of the summit for their commitment to advancing MSMEs, noting that “When we keep our MSMEs healthy, we keep Delta State prosperous.”
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Samuel Oligida, while officially declaring the summit open on Wednesday, December 3, pledged continual support to MSMEs, especially through providing access to credit facilities, building infrastructures, training and empowerment MSME owners and developing partnerships with more investors, to build a viable economy.
The Executive Secretary/ CEO DEMSMEDA, Dr Godwin Adolor thanked Governor Oborevwori for approving the sum of 1billion Naira as revolving loan to support MSMEs, to be managed by the agency, and reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to advancing the prosperity of Delta State.
NIM
