Ogona Anita
Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) has expressed its readiness to partner the Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit (NTD) of the state Ministry of Health in catering to the healthcare needs of lymphoedema and hydrocele patients, as part of the vulnerable population under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive of RIVCHPP, the state health insurance agency, who made the disclosure in her office when members of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit of the Ministry came for an advocacy visit to her office on Tuesday, 19th May, 2026.
Dr. Agala, while commending His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, said that RIVCHPP is committed to doing all within its resources to ensure that all residents in the state enjoy quality and affordable healthcare services in line with the Governor’s #Health4AllRivers.
RIVCHPP’s Executive Secretary urged the Tropical Diseases Unit to furnish the agency with the statistical and demographic information of patients with such ailments in the state so that proper capturing and enrolment of such persons can be carried out by the agency.
Earlier in her remarks, the leader of NTD team, Dr. Ihuoma Aaron Wali said that lymphatic filariasis is a health challenge in Rivers State that needs to be tackled if the state must expand universal health coverage and achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 3:3.
Dr. Wali then called upon RIVCHPP to consider sponsoring the health needs of patients suffering from lymphoedema and hydrocele, as vulnerable people, into its Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The NTD team lead, who described these neglected diseases that disproportionately affect individuals who can not afford healthcare without intervention, said that the ailments usually lead to disability, stigma, and chronic situations.
Dr. Wali then requested RIVCHPP to see how it can provide healthcare coverage for lymphoedema management and hydrocele surgery , also urging the health insurance agency to integrate NTD morbidity management into primary healthcare services.
Idanye Oruigoni
Head, Information/Public Relations Unit,
RIVCHPP.
