ATM Stakeholders Strengthen Collaboration to Expand Health Insurance Access in Rural Rivers Communities

Port Harcourt, Rivers State – The state advocacy team for the ATM networks in Rivers State has reaffirmed their commitment to expanding access to the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) for vulnerable and underserved populations through stronger collaboration, integrated service delivery, and sustainable community engagement.

The commitment was made during an ATM State Advocacy Team visit and engagement meeting with the Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP to review strategies for improving enrolment in the state health insurance scheme, particularly in rural communities such as Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA). The State Advocacy Team discussed practical solutions to existing enrolment challenges and identified long-term approaches to sustain project achievements beyond the current donor funding cycle.

A major highlight of the meeting was the confirmation that National Identification Number (NIN) registration has been successfully integrated into RIVCHPP community outreach activities. Stakeholders noted that the limited availability of NIN registration centres in many rural communities had previously been identified as a significant obstacle to health insurance enrolment, as a valid NIN is required to access the scheme.

To address this challenge, Dr. Vetty Agala Ag. Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, explained that mobile NIN registration officials now accompany RIVCHPP enrolment teams during community outreaches, allowing eligible residents without a NIN to register and immediately enrol in the health insurance programme during the same exercise. Participants described the integrated approach as a significant step toward reducing barriers to healthcare access for rural populations.

The meeting also emphasized the critical role of effective community mobilization in ensuring the success of enrolment exercises. Stakeholders recommended closer collaboration among health facilities, community leaders, Local Development Committees (LDCs), and implementing partners to identify eligible beneficiaries, provide timely information on outreach schedules, and encourage community participation.

Drawing on previous enrolment campaigns, participants observed that using existing community structures consistently improved outreach effectiveness. Health facilities were identified as key coordination hubs for mobilizing beneficiaries and facilitating communication between implementing partners and communities.

Beyond improving enrolment, stakeholders deliberated on sustaining the gains of the Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) project as external donor funding gradually declines. The meeting underscored the importance of integrating project activities into existing government and community systems to ensure continuity.

ATM State Advocacy Team acknowledged the strategic role of Local Development Committees, which already collaborate with Community-Led Monitoring Teams (CLMTs) and participate in health facility governance. The committees were recognized as effective platforms for promoting continued awareness of RIVCHPP enrolment opportunities and addressing community health service challenges through regular meetings, community dialogues, and town hall engagements.

Stakeholders further agreed that LDC members could extend health insurance awareness to neighbouring communities not currently covered by the project, thereby broadening the programme's reach and supporting long-term sustainability.

The engagement concluded with several key resolutions, including strengthening partnerships between implementing partners, health facilities, and community structures; sustaining the integrated NIN-RIVCHPP enrolment model; and leveraging Local Development Committees as community-based platforms for continuous health education and beneficiary mobilization.

Speaking at the close of the meeting, members of the State Advocacy Team (SAT) expressed confidence that stronger collaboration and community ownership would help preserve the achievements of the Community-Led Monitoring project while ensuring that vulnerable populations continue to access affordable healthcare services through the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme long after donor support has ended.

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