The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that residents of the state have access to affordable and quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship.
The assurance was given during an advocacy visit to Ogu, where the Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP, Dr Vetty Agala, represented by the Director of Quality Assessment, Pharm. Bonaventure Vopnu, met with the Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area.
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The visit formed part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to expand awareness and participation in the state’s health insurance scheme.
Speaking during the visit, Vopnu noted that the high cost of healthcare remains a major barrier preventing many residents from seeking timely medical attention.
He explained that RIVCHPP was established to address this challenge by pooling residents into a contributory health insurance scheme that guarantees access to essential healthcare services.
According to him, over 140,000 beneficiaries are currently enrolled in the programme and are accessing healthcare services without making out-of-pocket payments.
However, he stressed that the enrolment figure remains low compared to the state’s population, making it difficult to achieve universal health coverage.
Vopnu added that the agency has intensified advocacy visits, community engagements and town hall meetings to mobilise stakeholders, traditional institutions and local government authorities to support increased enrolment across the state.
Responding, the Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Chief Vincent Nemeiboka, commended RIVCHPP for its efforts to improve healthcare access for Rivers residents. He pledged the support of his administration towards the success of the programme and called for amendments to the RIVCHPP law to strengthen the role of local governments in driving enrolment.
Nemeiboka also urged the agency to sustain its sensitisation campaigns to ensure that more people benefit from the scheme and enjoy improved healthcare outcomes.
