By Precious Amadi
The Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, has emphasised the need for a sustainable and resilient supply chain to ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery to residents enrolled in the programme.
Agala made the call when she received representatives of the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) at the RIVCHPP office in Port Harcourt, where discussions focused on strengthening access to medicines and improving pharmaceutical supply management.
She said an effective supply chain was critical to maintaining the availability of medicines, medical supplies, equipment, services and other resources needed across RIVCHPP’s network of accredited healthcare facilities.
According to her, a well-coordinated system would strengthen the programme’s operations while ensuring that enrollees have consistent access to quality healthcare services.
Agala also said RIVCHPP remained open to strategic partnerships with development organisations and private-sector stakeholders to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services for its enrollees.
Speaking during the engagement, CHAI Project Manager, Peace Oruma, said the meeting provided an opportunity to identify ways of improving access to medicines for RIVCHPP enrollees.
Oruma said the discussions also examined measures to strengthen the sustainability and effectiveness of the programme’s pharmaceutical supply management chain.
She added that CHAI’s engagement with RIVCHPP was aimed at supporting efforts to enable residents of Rivers State to access affordable healthcare without suffering financial hardship.
CHAI is a global health organisation that works with governments, businesses and health-sector stakeholders to improve access to affordable and quality healthcare.
The organisation has been partnering with RIVCHPP to support efforts to strengthen healthcare access and reduce the financial burden of medical care on residents of Rivers State.
