As the popular saying goes, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step”. This, in a nutshell, tells the story of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP).
From the point at which the health insurance programme became functional after years of coming into being, it has steadily evolved into a transformative force in the state’s healthcare system, rapidly gaining recognition as a household name among residents.
Recall that the legal framework establishing the state health insurance scheme was signed into law in 2021 by former Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, but the programme remained largely inactive until February 2024, when the incumbent Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, gave full authorisation for its implementation.
Since then, RIVCHPP has recorded remarkable progress, gradually but steadily extending its reach across all 23 local government areas and significantly improving access to affordable healthcare.
Driven by the administration’s “#Health4AllRivers” agenda and the proactive leadership of its Executive Secretary, Dr. Vetty Agala, the agency has set an ambitious target of enrolling at least one million residents by its third anniversary. This vision reflects a clear commitment to achieving universal health coverage in Rivers State.
Recognising that gaps still exist despite notable achievements, RIVCHPP convened a two-day community engagement meeting in Port Harcourt from March 10 to 11, 2026. The engagement was designed to deepen awareness, strengthen grassroots participation, and enhance collaboration among key stakeholders.
The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, who also serves as the state’s Universal Health Coverage Day Advocate, graced the event as Special Guest of Honour.
At the event, she emphasised that the gathering underscored a shared commitment to improve healthcare delivery and ensure that every resident has access to quality and affordable services.
Commending the programme, Professor Odu described RIVCHPP as one of the most impactful initiatives of the current administration. She noted that policies that fail to reach the grassroots ultimately lose their value, stressing that the programme’s success lies in its strong community foundation.
She also expressed appreciation to the State Governor for not only activating the scheme, but also sustaining and strengthening it.
Highlighting the importance of the engagement, the Deputy Governor stated that it provided an opportunity to directly connect community leaders with the government’s healthcare initiatives, while urging residents to take ownership of the programme.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the RIVCHPP Board, Professor Princewill Chike, noted that the programme has recorded significant progress in expanding health insurance coverage and improving access to care across the state.
Represented by RIVCHPP’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Vetty Agala, he acknowledged that ongoing monitoring has revealed gaps in coverage, service delivery, and coordination at the community level.
He explained that the purpose of the engagement was to raise awareness, harmonise community coordination structures, and strengthen collaboration between RIVCHPP, traditional institutions, religious bodies, and civil society organisations.
According to him, sustainable health programmes thrive not only on policy frameworks but also on active community participation.
The importance of community engagement was further reinforced by other stakeholders: the Assistant Health Officer, World Health Organisation (WHO), Mrs. Ajawa Chibuzor Mabel, described the initiative as more than a policy milestone, and called it a bold declaration that healthcare is a fundamental human right.
She noted that RIVCHPP is helping to strengthen primary healthcare, reduce financial barriers, and extend coverage to vulnerable populations thereby laying the foundation for a healthier future.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Professor Justina Jumbo, commended the agency’s progress and aligned it with the broader vision of Governor Fubara’s administration to ensure healthcare without financial hardship.
She stressed the need for deeper community ownership, noting that traditional, religious, and community leaders play a crucial role in bridging the gap between policy and the people.
Since becoming fully operational in 2024, RIVCHPP has enrolled over 145,000 residents, cutting across different social and economic backgrounds. The programme has not only improved access to healthcare services — including life-saving surgeries — but has also significantly reduced out-of-pocket expenses for many families.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Victor Nwikpo Sorlesi, a board member and Chairman of the engagement, encouraged participants to actively disseminate the knowledge gained to their communities.
Having personally sponsored the enrolment of hundreds of individuals, he urged stakeholders to leverage the programme to improve health outcomes across the state.
Traditional institutions also lent their voices to the call for ownership. His Royal Highness, Eze Leslie Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka of Evo Kingdom, described RIVCHPP as a people-centred initiative that goes beyond conventional health insurance. He urged participants to champion the programme within their communities.
In her closing remarks, the Executive Secretary/CEO of RIVCHPP, Dr. Agala, expressed profound gratitude to the Deputy Governor, stakeholders, and the Governor for their unwavering support. She reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to transforming the health sector and ensuring that residents benefit from accessible and affordable healthcare.
While the community engagement meeting has come and gone, its impact is expected to resonate far beyond the event. Stakeholders have been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that awareness and benefits of the scheme reach even the most remote communities.
Currently, the annual premium for non-vulnerable residents is ₦25,000, a modest amount that still remains out of reach for some individuals, though.
In the light of this, RIVCHPP is calling on community leaders, religious organisations, philanthropists, and well-meaning individuals to support vulnerable persons by sponsoring their enrolment.
Achieving the #Health4AllRivers vision requires collective responsibility. Beyond spreading awareness, stakeholders must actively facilitate enrolment and support those unable to afford it. Only through such shared commitment can universal health coverage become a reality in Rivers State.
Indeed, as the saying goes, “health is wealth”. Through RIVCHPP, Rivers residents have been accorded the opportunity to truly live life to its fullest.
- Oruigoni is the Information/Public Relations Officer,RIVCHPP.