The Rivers State Ministry of Health has rolled out series of healthcare interventions for residents of the State in commemoration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s 50th birthday.

The State Commissioner for Health, Adaeze Oreh, who disclosed this on Monday, January 28, 2025, while addressing pressmen in her office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, stated that the interventions were aimed at relieving the people from the burden of high cost of healthcare.

She said that the approval and implementation was done by the Governor to give an updated information on what the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) has been doing so far.

“It is because of government’s acknowledgement of the weight of the burden of those cost on households and families in Rivers State that His Excellency approved the implementation of this programme in the first place.

“So, what we are doing is to give us update on what RIVCHPP has been doing and what we would seek to do in this week while we are in a celebratory mood.”

“We are not just about celebrating but also celebrating with the mindset of impact and so this is where we would be enrolling more people, working with the local government areas, as well, to get more individuals, households and communities of vulnerable persons enrolled in this scheme to access quality healthcare.”

She warned that the Ministry will not tolerate any form of exploitation or compromise in service delivery, assuring citizens that the team at RIVCHPP would be on ground through their communication channels to receive any report to that effect.

Dr Oreh called on the people of Rivers State to take advantage of the golden opportunity and for healthcare providers to ensure seamless implementation.

The acting Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Vetty Agala also stated that the plan comes with no charge because government is paying for it.

“If you are under the basic healthcare plan or the equity plan, you are not to pay any dime because government is paying for you. “

“On the high cost of caesarian sections, that’s why we are in honour of His Excellency, we are reiterating what he is doing and what he has done for people to get to know that in Rivers State if you are a pregnant woman, for now you are classified as a vulnerable.”

“You have access to basic healthcare provision of the equity plan and so if you are registered for anti-natal and alot of if other programmes, if you are registered for anti-natal, you go through at least four anti-natal care visits before now, even if you were not under RIVCHPP, you will have access to free delivery and for us, there is referral services.

“So, all the services that these packages provide do not end at the primary level of care. When there is need for referral, the emergency ambulance services of the Rivers State Ministry of Health are able to convey people.”

“If you are under the Sim Jara Scheme or any of the informal sector schemes, it means that you will not pay for surgeries but you will pay a fifteen percent on your drugs and your medications and that’s to help them revolve those drugs. The cost of care is very high and that’s why even a government facility would require you to pay high.”

Speaking on the importance of the free medicals, Dr Agala stressed “We are interested in driving down maternal mortality, we don’t want our women dying, we don’t want our neonates dying, so ensure that you register with the scheme.