The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) held a press briefing to update the public on the progress achieved over the last seven months under the administration of the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ette Ekwe Ibas. The briefing highlighted improvements in healthcare services, coverage expansion, and community engagement across the state.
Established by law in 2020, the scheme was signed into existence in June 2021 and implemented in February 2024 under the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Dr. Vetty Agala, Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP, at the event, presented an overview of the programme’s achievements over the past seven months. Among these were the enrollment of 20,000 pensioners and vulnerable groups—including children under five, pregnant women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, widows, orphans, and those living with HIV or other chronic conditions—as well as 2,500 inmates of the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre. She emphasized that, “those who served the state will not be forgotten,” noting that pensioners now retire with dignity and peace of mind, knowing they are protected health-wise by the government.
The RIVCHPP Governing Board, led by Chief Princewill Chike, was inaugurated during this period and has pledged operational support, including the provision of vehicles and expanded facilities.
Additionally, the scheme announced that all civil servants and their households have now been onboarded into the programme, granting them access to healthcare while protecting them from out-of-pocket medical expenses.
RIVCHPP, entrusted with full responsibility for implementing its health plans, has intensified community outreach programmes and taken steps to improve healthcare financing across Rivers State. To ensure effective service delivery, the programme is currently conducting its Quarter 2 (Q2) data validation across all local governments, aimed at producing accurate health data for informed decision-making.
RIVCHPP, in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has commenced re-accreditation visits to 204 primary healthcare facilities across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Dr. Agala further disclosed plans to train secondary care providers ahead of onboarding general hospitals into the scheme by September 2025, when pensioners and other formal sector players will begin to receive care.
In line with client needs, RIVCHPP is investing in an efficient system with a 24/7 call centre and an electronic claims management platform for healthcare providers, the Executive Secretary noted. She stated that sensitization campaigns and town hall meetings would continue to be the way forward for the programme.
Under the leadership of Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ette Ekwe Ibas, the scheme currently has 110,000 enrollees, with 64,599 hospital visits and 102,192 services utilized. These include 38,846 malaria/typhoid cases, 9,908 hypertension treatments, 7,616 antenatal care visits, and numerous immunization services. The scheme also recorded 513 referrals and 234 surgeries, among other interventions.
Dr. Agala identified a major challenge: many existing enrollees lack their National Identification Number (NIN), which is an essential requirement for enrollment. She stressed that by September, RIVCHPP will begin revalidating its database and deregistering enrollees without NINs. She urged all residents, particularly the vulnerable, to register and obtain their NIN to remain eligible for coverage.
To participate in the programme, residents in the formal sector are required to pay a minimum of N15,000 annually to be enrolled in the RIVCare plan.
Backed by the full support and commitment of the current administration, the programme aims to protect families from poverty caused by illness, reduce inequality, and lay a firm foundation for sustainable growth.
By: Amaechi Miracle Chidinma
