Agala Celebrates RIVCHPP’s Remarkable Strides, Commends Fubara, Odu, Oreh For Support
...Unveils Simjara For Informal Sector
By Edu Abade
Acting Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala has affirmed that RIVCHPP has already made remarkable strides despite the agency starting after all other states came on board the health insurance scheme across the country.
Agala, who stated this on the sidelines of the first Universal Health Coverage Day commemoration in Port Harcourt, said the agency is taking on different levels of advocacy, collaborations and sensitisation to increase health coverage for residents of Rivers State, improve their health-seeking behaviour and ensure that they have quality healthcare services without stressing themselves about raising money to pay.
She stressed that people living with disabilities are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people, hence the agency’s decision not only to carry out health outreaches, but to also enroll them into the scheme to enable them to always access quality healthcare services without paying from their pockets under its Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
In a statement made available to journalists by Information Media Officer of RIVCHPP, Idanye Oruigoni, she (Agala) commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor and Universal Health Coverage Advocate, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh and other partners for support and collaborations that have placed the agency in its enviable position.
Speaking, Oreh thanked Governor Fubara for the approval that resulted in the functionality of RIVCHPP which is working to upscale Universal Health Coverage in the state, while commending the World Health Organisation and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in the state for their synergy that birthed of the state’s health insurance scheme.
Special Guest of Honour at the event, Prof. Odu, who was represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Dr. Doris Oyil, pledged to promote policies that would prioritise the welfare of vulnerable populations and people living with disabilities, as well as collaborate with stakeholders to raise awareness on health insurance benefits, among others, insisting that health equity remains a shared responsibility, which teamwork will help to build.
In his goodwill message, Mayor of Port Harcourt City Council, Hon. Ezebunwo Ichemati, who commended Agala and her team for replicating what Governor Fubara loves doing by putting Rivers citizens first in all he does, enjoined the people of the council to avail themselves of the opportunity of the outreach and enrolment to tackle whatever health issues they may have.
On his part, state coordinator of NHIA, Dr. Chris Itodo, who was represented by Mrs. Emigbai Christy Agbale, applauded RIVCHPP’s proactive approach towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage and reduction of morbidity and mortality in the state and congratulating the agency on the successful commemoration and health outreach for people living with disabilities.
Meanwhile, in its quest to continue to provide more equitable healthcare services for Rivers people, Agala said RIVCHPP’s achievements are testaments of Governor Fubara’s people-focused leadership and his #Health4All Rivers agenda, which she said, fuelled the agency’s mission.
She also pointed out that the unveiling of SimJara, which is the agency’s flagship informal sector health plan, marked a pivotal movement which is provide access to comprehensive health care for rural communities, market women, artisans, low income earners and vulnerable groups, stating that these will be better realised through the goodwill of philanthropic sponsors.
Speaking at the event, Oreh announced that Governor Fubara has strengthened and repositioned the health sector among the committee of states, a development that has led to increased universal health coverage in the state.
She stated that by making the health insurance scheme functional in the state, years after other states started the programme, the governor has put an end to the questions that were asked about what the state was doing about the health insurance programme.
Oreh, who revealed that 62,000 beneficiaries have been enrolled to access quality health care without bringing a kobo from their pockets, said the government enlisting the informal sector under RIVCHPP and assured that the agency will celebrate more achievements and that Rivers State will no longer stand behind other states but will eventually lead other states in healthcare issues.
Also speaking, Prof. Odu, who said vulnerable groups face systemic barriers to health care access and economic restraints, and accessibility challenges, informed that the health insurance initiative shields families from catastrophic health expenses and enjoined residents of the state to enroll into RIVCHPP programme.
In his goodwill message at the event, representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the State, Prof. Giwa Abdulganiyu, said: “The universal health coverage day is a global reminder of our stand and commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality health care for all without financial hardship.”
Abdulganiyu, who commended the giant strides of RIVCHPP, said over 60 percent of health expenses in Nigeria are borne out of pocket and urged government at all levels to address the urgent need for financial protection to be put in place to underscore the importance of collaboration, resilience and innovation in achieving a sustainable healthcare system.
