In a fresh push to broaden access to quality and affordable healthcare for all Rivers residents, the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) has intensified its advocacy efforts by seeking strategic partnerships with the Ministries of Commerce and Transport to boost enrolment, particularly among those in the informal sector.
During separate visits to both ministries according to the post shared on Wednesday, the Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP, Dr. Vetty Agala, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that more residents benefit from health insurance without the burden of heavy out-of-pocket payments at the point of care.
At the Ministry of Commerce, Dr. Agala described the ministry as a critical stakeholder capable of helping RIVCHPP tap into the largely uncovered informal sector population.
She noted that, despite the ongoing success of the scheme, a significant portion of the state’s population remained uninsured, hence the need for closer collaboration.
Citing the provisions of the 2021 RIVCHPP law, she explained that any organisation with at least five employees qualifies as a firm or enterprise and ought to be on a health insurance plan, recommending RIVCHPP as the preferred agency for businesses operating in the state.
She appealed to the Commissioner for Commerce to deploy the ministry’s various directorates to reach entrepreneurs, traders, cooperatives, and SMEs.
Responding, Commissioner for Commerce, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, commended RIVCHPP’s efforts and pledged the ministry’s full cooperation.
He said the administration of Governor Siminialayi Fubara is committed to building a business-friendly environment and assured that the ministry would serve as a springboard for connecting RIVCHPP with operators in the informal sector.
At the Ministry of Transport, Dr. Agala expressed gratitude to the Permanent Secretary, Dr (Mrs) Ndidi Chikanele Utchay, for her earlier role in the establishment of RIVCHPP during her time at the Ministry of Health.
She reiterated that the visit aimed to leverage the ministry’s reach to draw transport workers and unions into the health insurance net, noting that a majority of the state’s estimated nine million residents operate in the informal sector.
She emphasised that failing to bring this large group onto the insurance platform would amount to a disservice to both humanity and the governor’s vision for a healthier state.
In her remarks, Dr. Utchay congratulated the RIVCHPP team and promised to work closely with transport unions to provide a suitable platform for engagement with RIVCHPP officials.
She assured the agency of the ministry’s readiness to support the drive toward better health outcomes for drivers and other transport workers.
Members of the RIVCHPP Business Development and Marketing team, including Mr Alex, the Director of Administration, Dr. Emmyson Emeka Emordi, and the Head of Quality Assurance, further explained the packages available for informal sector participants.
