The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, Dr. Vetty Agala, has charged Health Information Officers (HIOs) and focal persons to treat data collection and transmission as pivotal to achieving the state government’s #Health4AllRivers mandate.
Speaking at a three-day training on Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) 2.0 data collection in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Agala stressed that the quality of data generated at service delivery points would significantly shape health policy decisions and outcomes.
She urged participants to recognise their critical role within the health value chain, calling for empathy in engaging enrollees alongside diligence and accuracy in handling data.
In a goodwill message, the Head of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr. Seiyeofori Dede, reinforced the importance of reliable data in expanding universal health coverage across the state. He called on health facilities to embrace the training, noting its alignment with the healthcare mandate of Siminialayi Fubara.
Providing an overview, the Head of Statistics at RIVCHPP, Dr. Isaiah MacMoses, explained that the training aims to equip participants with skills for electronic data transmission directly from healthcare facilities to the National Health Insurance Authority platform. He described the initiative as essential for ensuring accurate data for informed decision-making.
Meanwhile, Agala has also called on residents of Rivers State to prioritise their health by enrolling in the state’s health insurance scheme.
Speaking at a one-day prayer congress organised by the Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria at the Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt, she said the state government is committed to preventing healthcare-related financial hardship.
According to her, the administration of Governor Fubara has strengthened RIVCHPP to provide accessible and affordable healthcare services. She urged residents—regardless of religion or background—to enrol in the programme, assuring that beneficiaries can access primary and secondary healthcare services without financial strain.
Agala reiterated that the scheme is designed to safeguard residents from the economic burden of medical care while improving overall health outcomes in the state.
