The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) has partnered with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers State Council, to expand healthcare coverage and ensure residents, particularly those in rural communities, have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
The Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP, Dr. Vetty Agala, disclosed this during a two-day capacity-building workshop organised by ALGON in Port Harcourt.
Agala urged local government chairmen across the state to prioritise the enrolment of their residents in RIVCHPP programmes and packages, describing it as a legacy that could improve the wellbeing of their people.
She said leadership should be centred on the welfare of the people, stressing that a healthy population would enhance productivity and contribute to economic development.
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According to her, RIVCHPP is an initiative of the Rivers State Government aimed at ensuring that all residents have access to quality and affordable healthcare without suffering financial hardship whenever they require medical attention.
She explained that the programme is open to residents across different sectors, including government employees, private-sector workers, self-employed persons, artisans and other categories of residents.
Agala noted that vulnerable populations are currently covered under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), while other residents can enrol for as low as N25,000 annually and access healthcare services at health facilities of their choice.
She called on local government chairmen, traditional rulers, community development committees, religious leaders and other stakeholders to mobilise their people to enrol in RIVCHPP programmes and packages.
She said wider enrolment would help protect residents from catastrophic healthcare expenditure and ensure that financial constraints do not prevent them from seeking medical attention when health challenges arise.
