2020: Rivers govt increases budget allocation

Universal health coverage in Rivers state has received a boost from the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike who said the government had increased the budgetary allocation for the health sector in the 2020 budget.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the World Health Organisation Country Representative for Nigeria on Friday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Wike said his administration is committed to improving healthcare delivery in the state.

He said: “We have increased the budgetary allocation for the health sector in the 2020 fiscal year. We have placed priority on health.  We are expanding our health facilities for the benefit of our people. The issue of health is critical to the development of the state. Without health, other sectors will suffer. Therefore, we will continue to invest in the health sector.”

The governor announced that the Contributory Health Insurance Scheme of the state would be compulsory.

He also said the state government had procured 200,000 insecticide treated mosquito nets for distribution to Rivers people in the fight against malaria, adding that he has also released the state’s counterpart fund for the fight against yellow fever.

In his remarks, the WHO country representative, Dr. Peter Lasuba, lauded the investments of the Wike-led administration in the health sector.

While congratulating the governor on his re-election, Lasuba said winning the election for the second time was a clear testimony of the governor’s dedication to Rivers development, which won the hearts of the electorate.

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