Rivers Health Insurance Enrolls 160,000

The Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala, says over 160,000 persons have been enrolled into the programme in the State.

Agala disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt at the weekend,

He further said that the scheme already has 145,000 active lives and 111, 000 enrollees benefiting from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

The RIVCHPP Secretary also hinted that the agency was currently developing a five-year strategic plan that it intends to make public during the commemoration of the 2026 Universal Health Coverage Day billed to take place in December 2026.

Agala said the agency was established by law to provide healthcare access to all Rivers residents at affordable cost, adding that the scheme has benefited numerous households that would have been trapped in ill health due to lack of affordable healthcare.

He added that aside the payment of counterpart funds under the BHCPF, the state government recently made equity contributions for 46,000 lives.

The RIVCHPP boss, however, noted that although the state government is paying for the vulnerable members of the public, many residents of the State are yet to be enrolled into the programme. This, he said, propelled the agency to raise more awareness and sensitisation among the people.

He explained that the agency is fully digitalized with a 24/7 call centre, stressing that the agency is working to invest in toll-free phone numbers, even as it has put in place flexible systems for the payment of its premium.

By; Kevin Nengia