The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) says its activities are aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s Health4AllRivers mandate aimed at ensuring access to affordable healthcare for residents of the state.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of RIVCHPP, Dr Vetty Agala, stated this on 29 Thursday, when she received members of the Obuama Community Development Committee and the 1996 set of Bereton College Port Harcourt Old Students Association during separate courtesy visits to her office.
Agala said the agency was committed to enrolling Rivers residents without health insurance into its various programmes, noting that vulnerable persons were being covered through contributions by the government, philanthropists, organisations and other well-meaning individuals.
She stressed that free medical services were not sustainable, urging local government authorities, politicians, community leaders and philanthropists to sponsor health insurance for people within their reach.
According to her, RIVCHPP, which became operational in 2024, has improved residents’ access to healthcare services, although more public awareness is needed to expand enrolment.
She urged individuals and organisations to become ambassadors of the programme by sensitising residents to its benefits.
Agala also expressed the agency’s readiness to collaborate with groups and organisations committed to improving universal health coverage and healthcare-seeking behaviour in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Obuama Community Development Committee, its Chairman, Prof. Sakiemi Idoniboye, commended RIVCHPP for its contributions to healthcare delivery in Rivers State.
He said the committee was seeking a partnership with the agency to facilitate the enrolment of residents of Obuama into the health insurance scheme and improve the community’s health indices.
Idoniboye, however, urged the agency to maintain political neutrality in its operations, warning that any perception of political bias could discourage community members from participating in its programmes.
Similarly, the President of the Bereton College Port Harcourt Old Students Association (1996 set), Gift Chidi-nma, said the association visited the agency to explore areas of collaboration.
He explained that the association planned to give back to the community where its alma mater is located as part of activities marking its 30th anniversary.
