Vetty Agala
The Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala, has assured residents that the state is putting measures in place to ensure that people do not sink into poverty while trying to access quality healthcare.
Speaking at the launch of the dental and physiotherapy units at Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, Dr. Agala explained that RIVCHPP will achieve this goal through strategic collaborations with the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
According to her, the partnerships will allow the health insurance scheme to expand affordable care to its enrollees across all general hospitals in the state, including Kelsey Harrison Hospital.
“With the addition of the new units, this hospital is now a one-stop centre for our enrollees who may be referred here for different levels of care,” she said.
Dr. Agala further disclosed that RIVCHPP will work closely with heads of health facilities to design modalities that will enable enrollees to access services without financial hardship.
She also lauded the Rivers State Government for issuing an executive order mandating the enrollment of the formal sector and pensioners into the scheme, saying the move will significantly strengthen financial protection for households in the state.