…Unveils New Tariff
BY JUMAI NWACHUKWU
AS part of its efforts to reform the healthcare sector in Delta State, the Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Dr. Emmanuel Akpoveta, has called for increased transparency in healthcare management.
Speaking at the new Policy and Tariff training where Hospital Management Board (HMB), and Assess to Finance members were trained in Asaba. Dr. Akpoveta unveiled a groundbreaking policy and tariff designed to streamline healthcare costs, ensure accountability, and improve service delivery across the state.
He emphasized that transparency remains a critical challenge in Nigeria’s healthcare system, noting how irregularities in billing practices and the lack of clear communication regarding healthcare expenses have eroded public trust. “The healthcare sector should not be shrouded in secrecy, especially when lives are at stake. Patients deserve to know what they are paying for, and healthcare providers have a responsibility to ensure accountability,” he stated.
According to Akpoveta, the newly introduced policy and tariff in the health commission, aims to standardize the cost of healthcare services across all facilities in Delta State, both public and private. This measure, will eliminate delay attending to patients, unnecessary drug prescriptions, reduce instances of overcharging, and provide patients with adequate medical care service.
Dr. Akpoveta, while highlighting the broader objectives of the policy, he said the tariff system would also make it easier for the government to monitor and regulate the allocation of resources in the sector. This, in turn, would enable the commission, identify inefficiencies, address corruption, and ensure that public funds intended for healthcare are used judiciously.
He addressed concerns regarding compliance, assuring healthcare providers that the DSCHC would provide necessary support for the transition. He revealed that the commission would deploy regulatory officers to enforce the tariff system’s implementation, as he emphasized that this policy would benefit healthcare facilities by fostering trust and confidence among patients, which could ultimately lead to increased patronage.
The Director-General noted that the state government has pledged its full backing for the initiative, with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori commending the DSCHC’s commitment to improving healthcare access and affordability for all Deltans.
