RSG Commences Revitalization Of 200 Health Centres 

The Rivers State Government has  commenced the revitalization of over 200  primary health care centres across the state.

Senior special Adviser to the State’s Sole Administrator on Health Matters, Professor Chituru Orluwene, said this during an Enrollment Sensitization Campaign organized by the Rivers State Contributory Health protection programme (RIVCHPP) at Ogale in the Eleme Local Government Area.

He said the government is also equipping all Zonal hospitals and revitalizing all General hospitals across the state.

Orluwene said the ongoing programme was in line with the promise by the Sole Administrator of the state, Rtd. Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, to bring affordable  and quality health care services to the door steps of the people, adding that this will not only increase the average lifespan of the people, but also reduce poverty and sufferings.

The Senior Special Adviser also called for mass enrollment into The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection programme (RIVCHPP) and listed some of the benefits to include free and and affordable health care services, and identifying good health facilities for enrollees.

Meanwhile, over 108,000 persons have so far enrolled with the RIVCHPP within the last one year.

Executive Secretary, RIVCHPP, Dr. Vetty Agala, who disclosed this during an Enrollee sensitization Campaign at Eleme, said the programme, which started during the administration of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, also has the backing of the Sole Administrator of the State, Rtd. Admiral Ibas

She said over the years lack of acess to quality health care has not only affected the average lifespan of Rivers people, but also increases poverty and suffering.

Dr. Agala said it was to check this that government came up with the health protection programme for the state, adding that registration will guarantee free and affordable health care services to the people.

According to Dr. Agala, government is also ensuring that all vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities, widows, pregnant women, the under-aged children and the down trodden benefits maximally from the programme.

The Executive Secretary, who stressed the need for the people to embrace the programme, said free medical treatment will be given to those who enroll in it.

She said her team will move round the 23 Local Government Areas to sensitize the people on the benefits of the programme.

Meanwhile, the Eleme local government council is to sponsor over 2000 less privilege persons from the area for the RIVCHPP programme.

Administrator of the council, Dr. Gloria Obo Dibiah, who announced this at Ogale during the sensitization programme, said enrollment of 100 persons out of the 2000 will start immediately.

According to her, the 2000 will include people with disabilities, pregnant women, the aged and children.

Dr. Dibiah further promised to assist them get their National Identity Numbers as soon as possible to enable them qualify for the registration.

She said this was part of her administration’s commitment to improving the health care needs of the people of Eleme and commended RIVCHPP for choosing Eleme to flag-off the sensitization programme.

John Bibor