The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme has announced an upward review of the age limit for dependent children covered under its formal sector health insurance package, extending eligibility from 18 to 21 years.
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of RIVCHPP, Dr. Vetty Agala, disclosed this during an advocacy visit to Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, where she urged the institution to enroll its staff and students in the state health insurance scheme.
Agala said the agency has made significant progress since becoming fully operational in 2024, despite the law establishing it having been signed in 2021. According to her, RIVCHPP has registered over 150,000 enrollees who are currently accessing healthcare services across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
She noted that one of the agency’s biggest challenges at inception was gaining public trust but said increasing enrollment figures now demonstrate growing confidence in the scheme.
The RIVCHPP boss explained that the programme was established to ensure all residents of Rivers State have access to quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship from out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Also see: Nollywood Veteran Actor Taiwo Adeshina, Dies After Brief Illness
She added that the agency’s drive to enroll all residents aligns with the Rivers State Government’s “Rivers First” agenda and the Health4AllRivers initiative.
Under the formal sector package, a worker, a spouse and four children are covered, with the age limit for eligible dependent children now increased from 18 to 21 years.
Responding, the Rector of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Moses S. Neebee, who was represented by the Deputy Rector, Dr. Aloni Clinton, welcomed the initiative and assured the delegation that the institution’s management would consider the proposal to enroll staff and students in the scheme.
He commended RIVCHPP for expanding access to quality healthcare across the state and praised Dr. Agala’s leadership in driving innovative health insurance policies.
The advocacy visit was attended by representatives of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and other stakeholders. The event also featured the presentation of RIVCHPP information kits and other materials to the institution by the agency’s Executive Secretary.
