Delta State, Sanofi commission diabetes, hypertension clinics

L-R: General Manager of Sanofi in Nigeria and Ghana, Pharm. Folake Odediran delivering her address as former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue, Board Chairman of DSCHC Olorogun Dr Isaac Akpoveta and the Obi of Obior kingdom HRM Kingsley Ugochukwu Ofuokwi JP listen.

The Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), an agency under the Delta State government, on Monday commissioned four Diabetes and Hypertension Clinics  (DHC) across the state as part of a coordinated initiatives to combat high prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in the state.

The flag-off ceremony, which held at the Obior Health Facility, Obior in the Aniocha North local government area of the State, also featured free public screening for diabetes and hypertension. The event saw a large turnout of people in attendance including the former state deputy governor Chief Benjamin Elue, the board chairman of DSCHC Olorogun Dr Isaac Akpoveta, the Chairman of Aniocja North LGA, Uche Oseme and the Obi of  Obior kingdom HRM Kingsley Ugochukwu Ofuokwi JP.

The DHC initiative is a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative between DSCHC and Sanofi, a global healthcare and biotechnology company focused on human health.

A DHC is a health facility and center of excellence equipped to effectively manage cases of diabetes and hypertension at the primary level of care and to refer patients when necessary.

In Nigeria, gaps within the health systems affect people’s health seeking behaviours. Many people in underserved and hard-to-reach communities often have to travel long distances to attend health facilities in nearest towns and cities. The associated costs and inconvenience at times deter them from accessing healthcare early resulting in their conditions getting worse with complications of disease. The goal of the DHC initiative is to bridge the gaps by bringing healthcare closer to these communities.

L-R; External Affairs Director, Sanofi, Mr. Oladimeji Agbolade, DG/CEO Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Ben Nkechika; Board Chairman, Olorogun Isaac Akpoveta, The Obi of Obior Kingdom, HRM Kingsley Ugochuku Ofuokwi JP and General Manager (General Medicine) Sanofi Nigeria and Ghana, Folake Odediran inspecting the facilities at the clinic.

While explaining the rationale for the public-private partnership, Dr Ben Nkechika, the Director General and CEO of Delta State Contributory Health Commission, said that the establishment of the clinics was in line with the state government’s resolve to provide quality health care to all Deltans.

He noted that cost of treatment represents a huge burden on the patients and that government decided to explore PPP options so that patients who require care are supported free of charge through the state’s contributory health scheme. “All you need to do is get enrolled in the state’s health insurance scheme and you will be treated free,” he said.

Earlier, while welcoming guests to the event, the board chairman, Olorogun Dr Isaac Akpoveta called on residents to patronize the centres in order to reduce the burden of hypertension and diabetes in the state. He disclosed that the state government through the commission is determined to provide quality health care to the people in the state, especially in the rural communities.

He expressed joy that the goal is being fulfilled through the public private partnership with Sanofi on diabetes and hypertension.The  General Manager of Sanofi in Nigeria and Ghana, Pharm. Folake Odediran disclosed that the her company’s partnership with the Commission in  establishing the centres of excellence was in line with its purpose to understand the healthcare needs of people in places it serves and to help in solving those needs.

Meanwhile, DSCHC and Sanofi  have formally signed the contract for the implementation of the project. The General Manager, Sanofi Nigeria- Ghana, Folake Odediran signed on behalf of the company while the Board Chairman, Olorogun Isaac Akpoveta signed on behalf of the commission.

L-R: DG/CEO Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Ben Nkechika; Board Chairman, Olorogun Isaac Akpoveta; General Manager (General Medicine) Sanofi Nigeria and Ghana, Folake Odediran; Sanofi External Affairs Director, Mr. Oladimeji Agbolade and Medical Director Sanofi, Dr. Philip Ikeme after the contract signing ceremony.