Table of Contents
- Health System Reforms
- Commitment to Healthcare Access
- RIVCHIPP Program Overview
- Access to Healthcare Facilities
- Expansion of the Health System
- Community Involvement
- Comments from the Executive Secretary
The Rivers State Government has announced that the state’s health system is undergoing intentional structural and transformational reforms that encompass service delivery, governance, financing, and infrastructure.
In recognition of World Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, celebrated annually on December 12, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is dedicated to ensuring that no resident is denied access to healthcare due to cost, distance, or circumstances.
Dr. Oreh indicated that Governor Fubara has made a significant commitment to Universal Health Coverage through the Rivers State Health Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHIPP).
The commissioner characterized RIVCHIPP as a strategic pathway to achieving universal health coverage in the state, asserting that the insurance program is “highly operational, functional, and already providing real protection to residents of Rivers State.”
Dr. Oreh elaborated that “RIVCHIPP is now granting families access to accredited healthcare facilities, offering essential services including emergency and referral services, maternal, newborn and child health, preventive care, and financial protection from overwhelming health expenses.”
She emphasized that the insurance program serves as the state government’s engine for universal health coverage, ensuring that low-income earners and the most vulnerable residents are not overlooked.
The commissioner further affirmed that the Rivers State Government’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage extends beyond health insurance.
She noted that the state is “expanding and enhancing the entire health system, upgrading physical infrastructure across primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities, equipping centers with essential diagnostics, modern technology, and functional medical equipment, and recruiting and deploying health workers” to ensure that every community has access to qualified health professionals, among other critical interventions.
These efforts are aimed at alleviating the financial burden on residents, enhancing the quality of care, and advancing the state’s progress toward achieving UHC.
Dr. Oreh stressed that attaining Universal Health Coverage is not solely the government's responsibility.
She urged residents to enroll in the state government’s health insurance program, emphasizing that “good health should not be contingent on your ability to pay but on your right as a resident of the state.”
She praised Governor Fubara for his leadership, which has continually strengthened and repositioned the health system in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of RIVCHIPP, Dr. Vetty Agala, speaking on this year’s Universal Health Coverage Day theme, “Unaffordable Health Care Cost: We are Sick of It,” stated that the state insurance program has evolved from a mere concept into a practical reality.
During an event in Port Harcourt to celebrate UHC, Dr. Agala emphasized that UHC is not just a mandate but the operational system that governs the state's daily functions.
For UHC to be successful, residents must be shielded from “catastrophic health expenditure,” she asserted.
She highlighted the necessity for citizens to be “visible in the government’s policy, covered in practice, and enrolled in the state’s UHC plan, which is RIVCHIPP.”
Dr. Agala revealed that approximately 140,000 individuals have already begun receiving care through RIVCHIPP since the program launched in 2024.
Furthermore, RIVCHIPP maintains a network of healthcare providers, both public and private, encompassing 210 facilities across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rivers State Health Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHIPP)?
RIVCHIPP is an insurance program designed to provide residents of Rivers State with access to essential healthcare services and financial protection against catastrophic health expenses.
How can residents enroll in the RIVCHIPP program?
Residents can enroll in the RIVCHIPP program by visiting designated enrollment centers or through the official Rivers State Government website for more information.
What services does RIVCHIPP cover?
RIVCHIPP covers a range of essential services including emergency care, maternal and child health, preventive care, and more, ensuring comprehensive health protection for families.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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