The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala, has emphasised that the health of Nigerians remains a critical factor in national development.
Dr. Agala stated this on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Asaba, Delta State, during a visit by delegations from RIVCHPP and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) to the Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu.
She noted that state social health insurance agencies across the federation are strengthening collaboration and synergy to expand healthcare coverage and improve service delivery nationwide.
According to her, the joint visit by the Rivers and Kano agencies was driven by the need to understudy the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), which she described as currently the best-performing health insurance scheme in the country.
Dr. Agala commended the Delta State Government for its sustained support to the health commission and expressed appreciation to the SSG for receiving the delegation warmly.
She assured that lessons from the study tour would be effectively implemented, scaled up, and adapted to improve healthcare delivery in their respective states.
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While acknowledging Delta State’s achievements, she stressed that attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria would require all states to strengthen their health insurance systems and adopt proven models. She also urged the Delta State Government to sustain funding to maintain the commission’s high standards.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, described health insurance as a strategic approach to promoting access to medical services, encouraging citizens to seek healthcare when needed.
He highlighted the importance of continuous public education, sensitisation, and advocacy in driving the success of health insurance programmes, and commended the visiting agencies for choosing Delta State as a learning destination.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, praised the state government, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, for prioritising healthcare delivery.
He disclosed that Delta State was recently ranked number one in Nigeria at the just-concluded State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIA) summit held in Ondo State.
Dr. Akpoveta added that, beyond Rivers and Kano, several other states have indicated interest in studying Delta’s healthcare financing and insurance model as part of efforts to achieve universal health coverage.
