The Acting Executive Secretary of Rivers Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala has affirmed that RIVCHPP has already made remarkable strides, though as an agency, it started after all other states have come on board the health insurance scheme in the federation.
Dr. Agala, who made the remarks in an address to mark the maiden edition of Universal Health Coverage Day commemoration in Port Harcourt, said that the agency is taking on different levels of advocacy, collaborations, and sensitisation in order to increase health coverage for residents of Rivers State, improve their health seeking behaviour, and ensure that they have quality health care services without straining themselves with how they can get money to pay.
The Acting Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP emphasised that people living with disabilities are among the most disadvantaged vulnerable people, hence the decision of her agency not only to carry out health outreach but to also enrol them to part of the vulnerable population that would always access quality health care services without paying from their pockets under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund of the agency.
Dr. Agala then used the medium to thank the state government, specifically mentioning the state governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS, the deputy governor, and Universal Health Coverage Advocate, the Health Commissioner, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, and various partners for support and collaborations that have placed the agency on its heightened position.
Speaking to commemorate the Universal Health Coverage Day in the state, Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh , thanked Governor Siminialayi Fubara for signing the landmark approval that gave rise to the functionality of RIVCHPP which is working tirelessly to upscale Universal Health Coverage in the state, thanking the offices of World Health Organisation and National Health Insurance Authority in the state for the synergy that has culminated into the birth of the health insurance scheme in the State.
Flagging off the SimJara plan, as the Special Guest of Honour of the commemoration and health outreach for persons living with disabilities in the state, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu, the Deputy Governor, and UHC Advocate, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Administration, Dr. Doris Oyil pledged to promote policies that prioritise vulnerable populations and collaborate with stakeholders to raise awareness of health insurance benefits, among others, saying that health equity is a shared responsibility, which teamwork will help to build.
In a goodwill message the event, the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Hon.Ezebunwo Ichemati, who commended the Acting Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP, Dr Vetty Agala, and her team for replicating what Governor Fubara loves doing, that is putting the people of the State first in all he does, enjoined the people of his local government Area to avail themselves of the opportunity of the outreach and enrolment to tackle whatever health issues they may have.
On his part, the state coordinator of National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Chris Itodo, represented by Madam Emigbai Christy Agbale, said that NHIA is really thrilled by the proactive approach of RIVCHPP towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage and reduction of morbidity and mortality in the state, congratulating the agency for the commemoration and health outreach for people living with disabilities.
