Dr. Vetty Agala, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), has said that healthcare should be a right and not a privilege, particularly for the poor, vulnerable, and underserved.
Dr. Agala made this statement at the official flag-off of a health outreach by Moncordel Hospital, Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt, on Saturday.
Dr. Agala, who was represented by the RIVCHPP Head of Standards and Quality Assurance, Pharm. Bona Vopnu, expressed that the Rivers State Government was devoted to fulfilling Universal Health Coverage by instituting a health insurance program that was efficient and sustainable.
She stated the agency was fulfilling the government’s commitment by providing the population with quality healthcare while lessening the financial burden of obtaining healthcare.
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She explained that partnerships through medical outreach continue to be one of several methods RIVCHPP has employed to convey healthcare and health insurance to communities.
The beneficiaries of the outreach, she said, would receive medical consultations, health education, screening for common diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, eye examinations, maternal and child health services where applicable, essential medicines and appropriate referrals for further treatment.
Dr Agala said health insurance could facilitate sustainable access to healthcare, urging Rivers residents who are still not on the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme to join it to shield themselves from devastating health costs.
She assured residents who are already enrolled in the programme of continued access to quality health care services when they need medical attention. The RIVCHPP boss also praised the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his visionary leadership and continued support to the health sector.
Dr. Agala appealed to the management and staff of Moncordel Hospital to continue to maintain their commitment to professionalism, compassion, integrity and respect for the dignity of patients.
Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Moncordel Hospital, Dr. Monday Enwere said the organisation is a diversified conglomerate with interests in healthcare, pharmacy, diagnostics, education and community development.
The organisation, according to Dr. Enwere, was committed to improving the quality of life through excellence in service delivery, assuring that its patients would continue to be treated with compassion and the highest level of professionalism.
He also promised to enrol all staff and students of institutions controlled by the conglomerate into RIVCHPP’s health insurance programmes.
