Author: Gist Correspondent

Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring all Rivers residents access quality healthcare without financial hardship.

This assurance was given in Ogu by the Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Vetty Agala, represented by the Director of Quality Assessment, Pharm. Bonaventure Vopnu, during an advocacy visit to the Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area.

Vopnu explained that many residents struggle to access healthcare due to cost, noting that RIVCHPP was created to address such challenges by pooling residents into an insurance scheme that supports their healthcare needs. 

He added that over 140,000 beneficiaries are already accessing care without out-of-pocket payments.

He stressed that the current enrolment number is still too low for achieving universal health coverage, prompting the agency to embark on advocacy visits and town hall meetings to seek wider stakeholder support.

In his response, Ogu/Bolo LGA Chairman, Chief Vincent Nemeiboka, commended RIVCHPP for its efforts to ease healthcare access and pledged his support for the program. He also called for an amendment to the RIVCHPP law to strengthen local government involvement in residents’ health insurance.

Nemeiboka urged the agency to intensify its efforts so more Rivers people can benefit from the scheme.