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The Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala, has stressed the importance of quality healthcare to national development, saying stronger collaboration among state health insurance agencies is key to expanding healthcare access across Nigeria.
Agala made the remarks in Asaba during a study visit by officials of RIVCHPP and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) to the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), widely regarded as one of the country\'s leading health insurance agencies.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, Agala said the engagement was aimed at learning from Delta State’s successes in healthcare financing and insurance administration.
According to her, the visit reflects the growing commitment among state social health insurance agencies to share ideas, strengthen partnerships and develop strategies that will improve healthcare service delivery and coverage for Nigerians.
“The health of Nigerians is critical to national development. That is why state social health insurance agencies are collaborating to create stronger synergies and expand healthcare opportunities for citizens,” she said.
Agala commended the Delta State Government for its sustained support to the health commission, noting that the lessons gained from the study tour would be adapted and implemented in Rivers and Kano states to improve their respective health insurance schemes.
She also called on state governments across the federation to strengthen funding and support for health insurance programmes to accelerate the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.
Responding, the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, described health insurance as an effective tool for improving access to medical services and encouraging residents to seek healthcare when needed.
He emphasised the need for continuous public education, advocacy and sensitisation to increase enrolment and public confidence in health insurance schemes.
Emu thanked the visiting delegations for choosing Delta State as a model for study, describing the state\'s health insurance programme as one of the most successful in the country.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, attributed the success of the scheme to the commitment of the Delta State Government under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to improving healthcare delivery.
Akpoveta disclosed that Delta State was recently ranked the best-performing health insurance programme in Nigeria at the State Social Health Insurance Agencies summit held in Ondo State.
He added that, beyond Rivers and Kano, several other states have expressed interest in studying Delta’s healthcare financing model as part of efforts to strengthen their own health insurance systems and advance universal health coverage.
