Ogona Anita
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) Dr. Vetty Agala has reiterated that the health of Nigerians is very critical, and that is why state social health insurance agencies in the federation are interfacing and collaborating to create better synergy and robust opportunities for healthcare service coverage for the people.
Dr. Agala, who is the Secretary of Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIA), made the declaration in Asaba on Thursday, 11th June, 2026, when delegation from Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) and Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) were received in audience by the Secretary to Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu.
The RIVCHPP Executive Secretary informed that it is the spirit of teamwork that moved the two sister health insurance agencies to come and understudy the Delta State Contributory Health Commission(DSCHC), which happens to be the best in the federation presently.
Dr. Agala, who used the medium to congratulate and commend Delta State Government for the support given to the health commission, thanked the SSG for the prompt and hospitable attention given to the delegates.
The RIVCHPP Chief Executive Officer promised, on behalf of the two state health insurance agencies, that the things learnt at study tours, which are very massive, will be conceptualised, scaled up, while the lessons learnt at the tour would be implemented.
She emphasized that while Delta State has made remarkable progress, achieving Universal Health Coverage nationwide would require all states to strengthen their health insurance programmes and learn from successful models as she urged the state government to sustain funding to see that the health commission sustains its enviable height.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of Delta State, Dr. Kingsley Emu said that health insurance is like marketing medical services to the general public, where the people are urged to visit the hospitals for their healthcare needs.
Dr. Emu reminded the health insurance agencies that continual education, sensitisation, orientation, and advocacy are very important in the work of health insurance, appreciating the visiting agencies for choosing Delta State for their study. Dr. Emu described Delta State’s health insurance programme as a remarkable success story, as top health insurance officials from Rivers and Kano states visited Delta to understudy its healthcare financing and insurance model.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Dr. Isaac Akpoveta applauded the State Government led by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for prioritising healthcare delivery across the state. He noted that Delta was recognised as number one in Nigeria at the just concluded SSHIAs summit in Ondo.
Dr. Akpoveta, while addressing the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), added that while Rivers and Kano States are currently understudying the scheme, several other states have also indicated interest in visiting Delta to key into its innovations in achieving universal health coverage.
Idanye Oruigoni
Head Information/Public Relations Unit,
RIVCHPP.
11/06/2026
