Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), the state health insurance agency, has lauded the stance of the state governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, in prioritising the welfare of health workers in the state and giving approval to steps that will increase universal health coverage of the state.
RIVCHPP’s position was made public in a statement by its Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vetty Rolegherighan Agala, in reaction to the recent meeting the Governor had with the leadership of the Association of Resident Doctors, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital .
It would be noted that at the said meeting, Sir Siminialayi Fubara gave far-reaching directives and approvals like the immediate implementation of skipping and accoutrement allowance for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Some other decisions at the meeting were the payment of residency grants for medical doctors in Rivers State Government services, the promise to employ more health workers, improved healthcare delivery, and the approval of health insurance for health workers in Rivers State, among other health improving policies.
According to the statement by Dr. Agala, RIVCHPP is really overjoyed that despite the obstacles placed on the way of governance in the state, Governor Fubara has never been deterred from taking bold steps at improving the health of all Rivers residents, praying for him to continue to govern the state in ways that the universal health coverage of the state will greatly improve.
Dr. Agala then emphasised that the strategic move by Governor Fubara will ultimately motivate health workers and improve the quality of care, which is a key component of universal health coverage.
The Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP, Dr Vetty Agala, also used the medium to heartily congratulate the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, for always being proactive and giving positive leadership in all matters geared towards bettering the health of Rivers residents and ensuring that all health facilities are fully functional and well-equipped.
Dr. Agala pledged the total commitment of RIVCHPP towards the actualization of the administration’s #Health4All mantra, promising to do all within its mandate of achieving universal health coverage by providing financial risk protection for all Rivers residents, especially the vulnerable population.