Ogona Anita
Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) is intensifying efforts to have public workers come on board its stable in its avowed interest of expanding universal health coverage in the state.
On Monday, 13th July 2026, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of RIVCHPP, Dr. Vetty Agala, a team from the state social health insurance agency to the Rivers State Council office of Nigeria Labour Congress on an advocacy visit.
Dr. Agala said that RIVCHPP is established by law to provide Rivers residents, irrespective of states of origin and nationality, with affordable and accessible quality healthcare services, without suffering from financial hardship.
The Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP announced that the agency has also already enrolled over 160,000 Rivers residents, who are presently accessing care in accredited health facilities across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Dr. Agala clarified that though the enrolled number of persons have already exceeded the target number given to the state by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), but seeing that the number is a far cry in comparison to the population of the state, and to fulfill the Governor’s interest to see that all residents of the state always remain healthy, the agency will continue to push for more and more enrolment.
The Chief Executive Officer of RIVCHPP explained that the advocacy visit is targeted at liaising with the labour union on mapping out strategies on how the formal sector, civil servants and other workers, can be enrolled into the health insurance scheme.
Dr. Agala also explained that the agency’s package for the formal sector covers the worker, a spouse, and 4 children (dependants) not more than 21 years of age.
The health insurance agency’s boss then called upon the leadership and management of the union to share the information with other leaders and relevant stakeholders to see to it that the workforce is enrolled into RIVCHPP’s programmes.
In his response, the state chairman of NLC, Comrade Alex Ikechi Agwanwor, commended the goodwill of Governor Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS, to the workforce in the state, especially the operationalisation of RIVCHPP, and for the numerous welfare packages for workers.
Comrade Agwanwor promised that the union would not only share the information but would make concerted efforts to see that workers in the state also get enrolled into RIVCHPP’s programmes to enjoy what others are enjoying in terms of affordable healthcare services.
The advocacy visit featured the presentation of RIVCHPP’s promotional materials to the union for continuous advocacy.
Idanye Oruigoni
Head, Information/Public Relations Unit,
RIVCHPP.
15th July, 2026.
