The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) says it is rapidly emerging as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing social health insurance agencies in its drive towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr. Vetty Agala, made the disclosure during an advocacy visit to the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt.
Agala said more than 150,000 enrollees are currently accessing healthcare services through the scheme across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State. She explained that although the law establishing the agency was signed in 2021, RIVCHPP became fully operational in 2024 to protect residents from catastrophic and out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
She also announced an upward review of the age limit for dependent children under the Formal Sector Health Insurance Package, extending coverage from 18 to 21 years.
The RIVCHPP boss urged the management of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic to enroll its staff and students in the scheme, noting that the initiative aligns with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s “Health for All Rivers” mantra and the state’s “Rivers First” development agenda.
Responding, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Moses Neebee, represented by the Deputy Rector, Dr. Aloni Clinton, expressed the institution’s willingness to partner with the agency in promoting accessible and affordable healthcare for members of the campus community.
