Fubara Contributes To RIVCHPP
In his bid to ensure adequate and affordable healthcare to the people, Governor Siminalayi Fubara makes equity contribution to the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, directs coverage for flood victims, vulnerable persons and public primary school pupils, just as the agency targets 111,865 enrollees
By Edu Abade
Rivers State Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, has made equity contributions to the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), directing the extension of health insurance coverage to over 50,000 additional residents including households affected by flooding, other vulnerable persons and public primary school pupils across the state.
Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP, Dr. Vetty Agala, made this known while speaking to newsmen shortly after the Agency’s third quarter management review meeting at her office in Port Harcourt on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Dr. Agala noted that through the state equity contributions, the state government under the leadership of Sir Siminalayi Fubara, seeks to strengthen the implementation of RIVCHPP and expand the health insurance coverage, particularly among vulnerable populations who may otherwise face financial barriers to accessing healthcare.
She also said the governor’s directive to extend coverage to flood victims is part of the state government’s response to the impact of flooding on affected communities, recognizing the need to address not only the immediate humanitarian consequences of the disaster but also the healthcare needs of displaced and financially distressed households.
“The directive by the governor for the extension of coverage to public primary school pupils also represents an important step towards improving access to healthcare among children, supporting their well being and promoting a healthier school-age population across Rivers State,” she said.
The governor’s initiative aligns with his broader objective of advancing universal health coverage in Rivers State through his Health4AllRivers vision by ensuring that more residents, especially vulnerable households and children, are protected against the financial hardship associated with accessing healthcare.
Besides, the RIVCHPP has urged all Rivers State Government retirees enrolled under the programme to take full advantage of their health insurance coverage by accessing medical services at their designated healthcare facilities.
The call followed findings from an analysis presented at the agency’s third quarter management review meeting, held at its office in Port Harcourt recently where it as revealed that retirees were not utilizing healthcare services under the programme as expected.
Expressing concern over the development, the Agency emphasized the need for retirees to make effective use of their health insurance benefits, noting that the Programme is designed to facilitate access to healthcare services and reduce the financial burden of medical expenses.
RIVCHPP restated that Rivers State Government retirees, who had been verified, were registered under the Programme and the agency encourages them to visit their assigned healthcare facilities whenever they require medical attention.
It further advised retirees who are uncertain about their designated healthcare facilities or wish to change their existing facilities to contact RIVCHPP through its designated call centre lines, 08085315664 or 09046962204, for clarification and assistance.
The Programme stressed that enrolment in the state’s health insurance scheme is intended to ensure access to essential healthcare services, urging retirees to take full advantage of the coverage available to them rather than allow their benefits to remain unused.
Meanwhile, following the third-quarter review meeting of the forum of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIAs), held in Abuja, and with correspondence from NHIA, RIVCHPP’s enrolment target under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has been increased from 84,054 to 111,865.
To meet the revised target set by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the management of RIVCHPP has also resolved to embark on a Local Government Areas (LGAs) enrollment mop-up exercise in October and November 2026.
The exercise is aimed at expanding health insurance coverage across the state by reaching more eligible residents and ensuring that the programme meets its current enrolment target.
RIVCHPP, therefore, urged eligible residents to obtain their National Identification Number (NIN), a key requirement for enrolment, to enable them to benefit from health insurance coverage and access essential healthcare services under the Programme.
