Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has urged chairmen of local governments in the state and health workers to replicate health insurance schemes at the grassroots level, insisting that the government counts on their dedication to ensure the success of its health insurance initiative.
He also encouraged all Rivers people to embrace the opportunity of the healthcare scheme and enroll in the health insurance programme even as they spread the message and benefits of the scheme to all and sundry.
Fubara, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, gave the charge at Ahoada during the unveiling of Kingdom Health Mandate for Rivers West Senatorial District, a constituency project powered by Senator Ipalibo Banigo in collaboration with National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
He described the initiative as a significant milestone and a visionary programme that will bring quality healthcare directly to the doorsteps of the people of Rivers West Senatorial District.
The governor, who also said a healthy population is the foundation for a prosperous society, stressed that the initiative was conceived to complement the state government’s efforts in reducing the burden of the people paying for their health care needs.
He commended the collaborative efforts, which he said, will help the state to achieve greater mileage in accessing healthcare, even as it would help thousands of Rivers citizens to access health care without the burden of paying from their pockets at the point of receiving healthcare services.
Fubara used the opportunity to commend Senator Banigo for her quality legislative work and her passion for improving the healthcare of Rivers people, saying that her efforts are transforming lives and complementing the state government’s healthcare initiatives.
Speaking earlier, Senator Banigo explained that the launch of the initiative is not just a fulfillment of her campaign promises to the people of Rivers West Senatorial District, but a fulfillment of a desire and passion to enrich the people with good health without placing the burden of payment and how to access quality healthcare on them.
She urged the people to fully utilize the services now available to them for their own benefits.
Banigo thanked Governor Fubara for all he has been doing for Rivers people in every facet of governance, especially for making the health insurance programme become functional in the state many years after the law was signed into law.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Prof. Kinikanwo Innocent Green, applauded Senator Banigo for the initiative in the health sector, saying it is strategic and commendable.
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Green pleaded with those who will be enrolled into the Kingdom Health Mandate initiative to ensure maximum utilization of the rare privilege to be beneficiaries.
In his goodwill message, Director-General of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri commended Senator Banigo for choosing health insurance as her constituency project, adding: “This has made her poised to return dignity and humanity to the people by restoring the health of her constituents through the health insurance scheme.
On her part, Acting Executive Secretary of Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala expressed gratitude to Senator Banigo for taking on health insurance for the people of Rivers West Senatorial District.
She also appreciated Governor Fubara for his dogged disposition in ensuring that the health insurance scheme becomes functional in the state, thereby making Rivers State one of the very first in the country to make the programme functional.
Agala recalled that in the last eight months, the RIVCHPP has successfully enrolled over 40,000 beneficiaries, who are already accessing quality healthcare in the 23 local government areas of the State.
She commended the agency for the additional beneficiaries the Kingdom Health Mandate initiative is bringing on board the health insurance scheme, stressing that the RIVCHPP is always interested in the universal health coverage of all Rivers people at all times.
