By Precious Amadi
The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) has called on the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers State Chapter, to support the enrolment of local government staff and their families into the state’s health insurance scheme.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of RIVCHPP, Dr. Vetty Agala, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the ALGON Chairman and Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, Hon. Allwell Ihunda.
Dr. Agala emphasized that working through local councils is the fastest way to bring affordable healthcare to rural communities and protect vulnerable populations.
“Partnership with local government councils is a better channel for reaching rural dwellers quickly and ensuring they are enrolled in the scheme, which provides quality and affordable healthcare services to all Rivers residents,” Dr. Agala said. She urged the ALGON chairman to encourage other council heads across the state to embrace the initiative.
Established under Law No. 3 of 2020 and fully operational since 2024, RIVCHPP has already registered over 160,000 residents. According to Dr. Agala, the agency currently operates through a digital system linked with 205 Primary Health Centres, 23 General Hospitals, 45 Private Hospitals, and two Tertiary Hospitals to deliver primary, secondary, and tertiary care.
In his response, Hon. Allwell Ihunda commended RIVCHPP’s strides in expanding healthcare access across the state and pledged his administration’s support for the initiative.
However, he advised RIVCHPP to consult with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) before implementing the scheme. This, he noted, would ensure workers fully understand and accept the proposed 5% basic salary deduction for the health cover.
“RIVCHPP should liaise with NULGE so that local government workers will not raise concerns when the five per cent contribution from their basic salary is introduced,” Ihunda advised.
To further drive adoption, the ALGON chairman promised to invite RIVCHPP to present the scheme’s benefits to local government chairmen and key council officials at their upcoming retreat.
The visit concluded with the presentation of RIVCHPP promotional materials to the Port Harcourt Mayor.
