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Acting Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, Dr Vetty Agala (3rd left) and the representative of the Rivers State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation and the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Dr Justina Jumbo, in a group photograph after the health insurance enrolment exercise in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital
The Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation have commenced the enrolment of children from the state’s Children Home into the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Program.
The initiative, launched by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, aims to provide quality healthcare for all Rivers residents, including indigent children.
The state Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon. Ilamu Arugu, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen shortly after the health insurance enrolment exercise in Port-Harcourt.
Arugu commended the governor for initiating the health insurance programe, which also involves vulnerable children in the state, adding that this policy will alleviate the financial burdens on the ministry.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Justina Jumbo, the commissioner emphasized the governor’s commitment to the people’s welfare, particularly the vulnerable groups and seeks the continuity and sustainability of the program.
The commissioner stated, “We are handling these children and every now and then, in fact right now they have called me from the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital to send N32,000 for card registration, to see the doctor, for this…
“Every minute, sometimes midnight, sometimes this child’s head has been cut open we have to look for money, you know transport to go and pick up that child from the home. It is financially demanding on the ministry.
“But if we get these children insured, some of these expenses will be off our sleeves. So I thank His Excellency the governor and God will forever bless him.”
Also speaking, the acting Executive Secretary of Rivers Contributory Health Protection Program, Dr Vetty Agala, said the programme has recorded success stories of free deliveries, and healthcare services to thousands of beneficiaries across the 23 local government areas of the state.
She stated, “The government subsidizes the costs, ensuring that the children receive necessary medical care without financial hardship. The programme has recorded success stories of free deliveries, and healthcare services with over 47,000 beneficiaries across the 23 local councils of the state accessing care.”
Dr Agala thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, for providing the strategic leadership that has made the program a huge success.
She encouraged everyone in Rivers State, including those with disabilities, to access the program which offers various packages, including the Basic Health Care Provision Fund for children below five years and SIM JARA, which is N15,000 annually to cover medical costs and can be accessed at any nearest health centre.
Dr Agala added, “You don’t have to be in the children’s home to benefit. We have packages for drivers, cooks, chefs, and others.”
South-South PUNCH correspondent who covered the event reports that 76 indigent children at the Port-Harcourt Children’s Home were enrolled for the scheme.
