By Elvira Jordan
The TB Network–Rivers has raised concerns over the inability of some residents of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, ONELGA, to access the Rivers State Contributory Health Insurance Programme, RIVCHIPP, because they do not have National Identification Numbers, NIN.
The State Advocacy Team raised the concern during an advocacy visit to the Medical Officer of Health, ONELGA, Dr Emmanuel Pelebo, as part of efforts to address health-service delivery gaps in the local government.
State Coordinator of TB Network–Rivers, Mr Messiah Fyneface Muzan, said feedback from community engagements showed that some residents were unable to access the health insurance programme because they lacked NIN.
His words: “We realize that with respect to REACH, this insurance stuff, so many of our people can’t access that service because they don’t have NIN. We indicated that we cannot afford to have a program that would be discriminatory. Some of our people will not have access to those services just because they don’t have NIN.”
“If we talk with you, we can arrange for our people in ONELGA, they will send the NIN team to go there and they will do the NIN registration for the people at the cost of 1,000 Naira.The reason why we’re meeting with you is to see how we can work together to ensure that happens, to get this message passed on to our people.”
Muzan further added that the issue had previously been raised with the Executive Secretary of RIVCHIPP, Dr Vetty Agala, who acknowledged the challenge and disclosed that discussions had been held with the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, to facilitate NIN registration outreach in communities.
He said the advocacy team was concerned that the NIN requirement could prevent people from benefiting from health insurance services.
According to Muzan, the team also sought ways of assisting residents who may be unable to afford the cost of obtaining an NIN.
He said discussions around an outreach arrangement could allow NIN registration to take place within communities at a reduced cost.
Muzan said the proposed arrangement would require collaboration with the local government and community structures to mobilise residents and make the exercise accessible.
He also stressed that the issue should not be limited to people receiving TB, HIV or malaria services, but should be treated as a broader health-access concern.
Meanwhile, the advocacy team raised concerns about the condition of the Primary Health Centre in Erema, particularly its dilapidated roof and lack of an adequate client convenience facility.
The TB Network said the infrastructure gaps could affect the safety, comfort and dignity of patients using the facility.
In his response to the concerns, Dr Pelebo acknowledged the infrastructure challenges and said they would be presented to the ONELGA Local Government Chairman for possible intervention.
“The issues would form part of the key concerns to be presented to the Local Government Chairman for possible intervention,” he noted.
Dr Pelebo also indicated that discussions with relevant health authorities were already ongoing on ways to address some of the identified gaps.
The advocacy team proposed a further engagement with the ONELGA Local Government Chairman to seek support for the rehabilitation of the affected health facility and efforts to improve NIN access for vulnerable residents.
The engagement emphasised collaboration among RIVCHIPP, NIMC, local government authorities, community structures and implementing partners to improve access to health insurance services in the area.
