The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) and Pamo University of Medical Sciences (PUMS) have formalised a partnership aimed at expanding access to affordable healthcare for students and staff of the institution.
The agreement was reached during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of RIVCHPP, Vetty Agala, and her management team to the Vice Chancellor and leadership of the university in Iriebe, Rivers State.
Agala said the collaboration would extend the programme’s coverage to the university community, adding to its existing enrolment base of over 145,000 beneficiaries spread across the 23 local government areas of the state.
She noted that the already empanelled Pamo University Teaching Hospital and Clinic would provide primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services to enrollees, particularly within the Obio/Akpor and Oyigbo axis.
Highlighting the benefits of the scheme, Agala disclosed that students would pay an annual premium of N12,000, enabling them to access healthcare services both within and outside the university environment, including when travelling beyond the state.
She emphasised that the partnership aligns with the broader vision of the state government under Siminalayi Fubara to ensure universal access to quality healthcare through subsidised insurance schemes.
According to her, the health insurance programme, which became operational in 2024 following the enactment of its law in 2021, continues to receive government support to make healthcare services affordable and accessible to residents.
Agala commended the university’s management for its commitment to academic excellence and human capital development, describing the institution’s goals as complementary to the state’s drive for socio-economic growth.
In his response, the Vice Chancellor of PUMS, Smith Jaja, endorsed the partnership and expressed appreciation to the state government for institutionalising a framework that promotes access to quality healthcare.
The collaboration is expected to deepen healthcare coverage within the university community while strengthening the delivery of medical services through existing health facilities in the area.
