The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Professor Ngozi Odu, has called on Community Development Committee (CDC) chairmen to mobilise residents across communities to register for the state’s contributory health insurance scheme.
Odu made the call during a two-day community engagement programme organised by the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme in Port Harcourt.
She said CDC leaders play a critical role in advocating for the programme at the grassroots level and ensuring that residents across wards enrol in the scheme to enable easier and more affordable access to healthcare.
According to the deputy governor, the state government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of the health insurance programme reach every household.
She noted that the scheme is a key step toward achieving universal health coverage in the state and strengthening healthcare delivery so that residents can access quality and affordable medical services.
Odu emphasised the importance of community ownership of the programme, urging stakeholders to treat it as their collective responsibility.
“When communities take ownership of a programme, they protect and sustain it. That is why this engagement is important to ensure that you take the message back to the grassroots and encourage more people to register,” she said.
She also stressed that collaboration between government, healthcare providers, community leaders and civil society organisations is essential for closing existing gaps in service delivery and expanding coverage.
Odu reaffirmed that the administration of Siminalayi Fubara remains committed to policies and programmes that improve the health and well-being of residents.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health, Professor Justina Jumbo, said the engagement was both timely and strategic.
She noted that achieving universal health coverage requires not only strong policies and institutions but also active collaboration with communities, traditional institutions, religious bodies and civil society organisations.
Also Read: http://NDDC pushes to complete legacy projects in Rivers State
Jumbo said the programme has recorded progress since its full implementation in 2024, expanding access to affordable healthcare across the 23 local government areas of the state.
She, however, emphasised the need for stronger community participation to ensure that no resident is left behind in accessing healthcare services.
Earlier, the Chairman of the RIVCHPP Board, Professor Princewill Chike, represented by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Vetty Agala, said the engagement was organised to raise awareness about the programme and strengthen coordination between community stakeholders.
He explained that the initiative aims to enhance collaboration between the programme, community leaders, traditional rulers, religious institutions and civil society groups to ensure wider coverage of the health insurance scheme.
Chime added that although significant progress has been recorded since the programme’s rollout across the 23 local government areas, some gaps still exist in coverage and service delivery, which the engagement seeks to address.
He urged participants to contribute ideas and practical solutions that would help strengthen community-level coordination and expand access to healthcare across the state.
