By Edu Abade
As the year 2024 gradually nears the end individuals, groups and organizations have begun collaborating and strategizing for 2025 while expressing the hope that next year holds a brighter future for Nigerians in all ramifications.
In that regard, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, headed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, in collaboration with United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), organized a five-day annual strategy session for agencies and bodies under the ministry to validate and harmonize their operational plans for 2025.
Representatives of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), an agency under the ministry, attended the all-important meeting.
Represented by Dr. Ireju Ajie and Dr. Juliet Aleme, RIVCHPP the ministry’s AOP and its agencies were jointly developed and validated, even as they critically analyzed its Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT).
During the strategy session, Ajie and Aleme expressed the hope that 2025 will bring about increased coverage and reduction of out-of-pocket expenses for Rivers residents, even as they commended the Acting Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Vetty Agala for her continued efforts towards ensuring health for Rivers people under the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh.
In a statement issued by the Information and Media Officer of RIVCHPP, Mr. Idanye Oruigoni, Acting Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Vetty Agala and members of RIVCHPP team felicitated with Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu on her birthday.
Agala described Prof. Odu as an exceptional mother saying: “On your special day and always, we celebrate your excellence, grace and unwavering support for our health initiatives. Your selfless dedication to the well-being of our communities remains inspiring.
“As a Champion of End Malaria and leader of the Rivers State Immunization Task Force, your tireless efforts have made significant impacts on the lives of countless individuals and families. Your leadership and vision have been instrumental to stimulating the state’s health care landscape.”
She further stated that RIVCHPP is one of the agencies benefitting from the Deputy Governor’s support and prayed that her birthday marks the beginning of another year filled with joy, good health and continued success in all your endeavours.
“May your life be blessed with love, wisdom and the fulfillment that comes from making a difference in the lives of others and on behalf of the RIVCHPP family, I thank Prof. Odu for being a shining example of compassionate leadership and a beacon of hope for Rivers State. We wish Her Excellency many more fruitful years of service, wisdom and celebrations,” Dr. Agala added.