The Rivers State government has launched health insurance programme, which will make healthcare affordable to residents. Governor Siminialayi Fubara recently Operationalised the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme(RIVCHPP), signed into law in 2021 that allows residents to contribute token amounts to a common fund.

RIVCHPP Acting Executive Secretary, Dr Vetty Agala, said the innovative scheme promises to revolutionise healthcare system in the state. Agala, who clarified while addressing Rivers people during the 2024 Civil Service Week in Port Harcourt, said the governor had revived the moribund policy through health insurance and ensured that the funds are highly subsidised to make more people, especially the vulnerable and poor, access affordable health care.

According to a household survey carried out by Rivers State Ministry of Health in 2022, less than five per cent of the state’s population know about health insurance, and less than four per cent of the population is covered by any form of health insurance.

She called on the people to embrace the contributory health programme not only to improve their health status but to also help them reduce the amount they spend on health services.

Agala declared that the National Health Insurance Authority Act of 2022 stipulates that health insurance should be mandatory for everyone and that the state government has keyed into it to promote healthy living among its workforce.

The Executive Secretary, however, expressed optimism that with the programme the health coverage of the state will be accelerated to meet up with the target eight goals three of the Sustainable Development Goals.

MEANWHILE, the Rivers State government has increased the number of persons to benefit from the free healthcare services to 100,000, up from the initial 68,874.

The Acting Executive Secretary during a sensitisationprogramme, urged local government councils to intensify efforts to enroll more residents in the scheme.
Agala noted that only 37,000 persons have been enrolled and called on councils to collaborate with RIVCHPP to sensitise their communities and sponsor additional enrollments.

She emphasised the importance of local government councils in driving the enrollment process, particularly in wards where awareness and participation are low.
Agala added that by working together, the state government aims to achieve its vision of universal health coverage for all Rivers people.

She clarified that the initiative is a social health insurance scheme designed to provide access to quality healthcare services for all, regardless of financial resources.

According to her, the solidarity scheme aimed to bridge the healthcare gap between the rich and the poor, ensuring that everyone receives equal access to medical care. She assured that RIVCHPP will continue to engage with stakeholders, including ward and Community Development Committees, to ensure maximum enrollment in the programme.

Agala, however, announced plans to unveil policies tailored for civil servants in the state, with enrollment premiums adjusted according to their salary levels.