The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala, has tasked Health Information Officers (HIOs) and focal persons to treat data collection and transmission as critical to achieving the state’s healthcare objectives.
Agala gave the charge during a three-day training programme on Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF 2.0) data collection held in Port Harcourt on March 17, 2026.
She stressed that the quality of data generated at the point of service plays a vital role in shaping health policies, decisions, and outcomes, urging participants to be diligent and professional in handling health data.
The RIVCHPP boss described the officers as key players in the healthcare value chain and encouraged them to demonstrate empathy when interacting with enrollees, while maintaining accuracy and thoroughness in data management.
In a goodwill message, the Head of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Seiyeofori Dede, underscored the importance of effective data collection in expanding universal health coverage.
Dede called on health facilities across the state to embrace the training, noting that it aligns with the healthcare vision of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Providing an overview of the training, the Head of Statistics at RIVCHPP, Isaiah MacMoses, explained that participants were being equipped with skills for electronic data transmission directly from health facilities to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) platform.
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He noted that accurate and timely data transmission is essential for informed decision-making within the health sector.
In a related development, Agala urged residents of Rivers State to prioritise their health by enrolling in the state’s health insurance scheme.
Speaking at a one-day prayer congress organised by the Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN) at the Ecumenical Centre along Abonnema Wharf Road, Port Harcourt, she said the state government is committed to reducing healthcare-related financial hardship.
According to her, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has strengthened RIVCHPP to ensure residents have access to affordable healthcare services.
Agala encouraged all residents, regardless of religion, origin, or background, to enrol in the programme, assuring that beneficiaries can access primary and secondary healthcare services without financial strain.
