The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala, has emphasized the importance of Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) gateway forum meetings in enhancing healthcare service delivery to enrollees.
She made this known while delivering her opening remarks at the first quarter 2026 BHCPF gateway forum meeting held in Port Harcourt recently.
She explained that the forum provides an opportunity for the various gateways to critically assess the quality of services being delivered, identify existing gaps, and propose practical solutions aimed at improving healthcare delivery across the state.
Dr. Agala further disclosed that RIVCHPP is developing modalities to commence facility-level enrolment for Phase 2 of the BHCPF, with efforts underway to update the National Identification Number (NIN) of most enrollees to enhance coverage.
In a goodwill message, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr. Dede Seiyeofori, who represented the Executive Secretary, encouraged participants to be open in sharing their experiences and expertise.
She noted that such collaboration is essential for identifying gaps and proffering effective solutions.
Also speaking, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Julliene Darlington-Nwoke, stated that the BHCPF gateway meetings have continued to improve with each quarter.
She described the forum as a platform for honest evaluation of the activities of the various gateways, particularly in delivering healthcare services to vulnerable populations.
Dr. Darlington-Nwoke commended RIVCHPP for its sustained efforts in strengthening the healthcare system through effective oversight of services provided at primary healthcare centres across the state.
Similarly, the State Epidemiologist and Head of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) gateway in Rivers State, Dr. Victor L. Abiikor, described the meeting as successful.
He noted that it enables gateways funded under the BHCPF to evaluate their performance and identify areas requiring improvement.
Dr. Abiikor added that the forum is vital to the welfare of residents, as it supports the delivery of healthcare services funded by the BHCPF, often at no cost to beneficiaries.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Medical Officers of Health (MOH) in Rivers State, Dr. Remmyson Keke, commended the quarterly meetings, noting that they help strengthen primary healthcare services.
He added that the reviews encourage Medical Officers of Health to intensify supervision and address identified gaps.
Also in attendance at the meeting were representatives from the four BHCPF gateways — REMSAS, RSPHCMB, NCDC, and RIVCHPP.
Others were representatives from partner organizations, including the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), World Health Organization (WHO), Corona Management System, Rivers State Health Management Board, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), among others.
- Oruigoni is the Information/Public Relations Officer, RIVCHPP.