The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) has announced plans to extend health insurance coverage to tertiary institutions across the state, with implementation expected to commence in 2026.
The Chief Executive Officer of RIVCHPP, Dr Vetty Agala, made this known during an advocacy visit to the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Education in Port Harcourt. She explained that the initiative is aimed at enrolling students of tertiary institutions into the state’s health insurance scheme as part of efforts to deepen universal health coverage.
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According to Dr Agala, the agency is seeking formal authorisation from the Ministry of Education to engage institutions under its supervision ahead of the rollout. She stressed that students constitute a critical segment of the population and should not be excluded from access to quality healthcare due to financial constraints.
She noted that discussions have also commenced with the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Proprietors of Private Secondary Schools, as the agency plans to ensure broad inclusion of learners across both public and private educational institutions in subsequent phases.
Dr Agala commended the Ministry of Education for policies geared towards improving educational standards in the state, describing the planned insurance expansion as aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s commitment to education, healthcare and social welfare. She reaffirmed RIVCHPP’s readiness to deliver efficient services and encouraged schools to adopt the Student Social Health Insurance Package tailored to meet the healthcare needs of students.
In her response, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, expressed support for the initiative and pledged to disseminate information about the programme to public institutions. She also assured the agency of the Ministry’s cooperation in sensitising schools on the benefits of enrolment, while urging RIVCHPP to sustain affordable and quality healthcare delivery across Rivers State.
