12/02/2026
Yesterday, the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP) and the State AIDS and STI Control Program (SASCP) paid an advocacy visit to the Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Rolegherighan Agala.
The purpose of the visit was to seek Government collaboration and support in domesticating HIV programmes and integrating them into the State healthcare system as a chronic disease model. This strategic shift is necessary to ensure sustainability and continuity of care, particularly as donor funding for HIV programmes is projected to reduce from October 1, 2026. While Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) will continue to be supplied, long-term financing through health insurance remains critical.
The delegation was led by Dr. Okwudili Chukwudinma, Program Director, NSHIP, and included Ogbeke Geoffrey (ACSO, NASCP), Christopher Bassey (FS, NASCP), and Gboto Yarbe (Lab/Rev FP, SASCP). Also present was Mrs. Ifeanyichi Uchechukwu, Technical Assistant to the Executive Secretary, RIVCHPP.
In her response, Dr. Vetty Agala reaffirmed Government’s commitment through RIVCHPP to protecting vulnerable populations, including Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV), and emphasized the importance of enrollment into the Rivers State Health Insurance Scheme to secure uninterrupted access to care.
