Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), the State health insurance agency, which became operational on 3rd February 2024, is now two years, touching lives of Rivers residents and taking away financial hardship from the people.
It would be recalled that the health insurance agency, which was birthed through legislation, Rivers State Law 3 of 2021, only became functional in February, 2024, through a directive by Siminialayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of the state.
Since the health insurance agency became operational, thousands of Rivers residents have not only been registered into the scheme, but hundreds of these enrolled persons have been accessing different forms of quality health care services across the 23 local government areas of the state, without suffering financial hardship at the point of care.
In a release to mark the 2nd year anniversary of RIVCHPP, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the health insurance agency, Dr. Vetty Rolegherighan Agala stated that by activating the agency to function, Governor Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS, has chosen people over postponement.
According to Dr Agala, ” by taking the bold step to operationalize the agency, Sir Siminialayi Fubara turned policy into decision”, clarifying that the ” decision has translated into real outcomes, where lives are saved”.
RIVCHPP’s Executive Secretary emphasised that with RIVCHPP becoming operational, children are safely delivered, and adults are treated for illnesses that would once have pushed families into debt or despair.
Dr. Agala also stated that in just two years, RIVCHPP has grown from a newly activated institution into a maturing , learning system, where coverage has expanded steadily, processes have improved, and trust has deepened.
The Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP then used the occasion to announce that the health insurance agency would continue to expand coverage, enrolling at least 1 million lives in 2026 as we journey towards Universal Health Coverage in Rivers State. RIVCHPP would work round the clock to ensure quality of care for its beneficiaries.
Dr. Agala pointed out that the progress made by RIVCHPP reflects the purposeful stewardship from the Ministry of Health under Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, whose reform mindset continues to strengthen health financing and service delivery across the state.
As part of its gesture to the residents, RIVCHPP will be enrolling pregnant women free of charge across all Primary Health Centres in Rivers State under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).
In addition, throughout the month of February, couples who wish to register under the RIVCARE plan will enjoy a special discount where couples are to register with #45,000, for two persons, instead of #50,000, making health coverage even more accessible for families.
RIVCHPP’s Executive Secretary also expressed gratitude to the Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Mma Odu, and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, for their unalloyed guidance and support.
