RSUTH Hosts USCDC, NCDC, IHVN Delegation on Bilateral Health MOU Implementation

The Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) on Thursday, 22nd October, 2026, hosted a joint delegation from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), as part of engagements on the implementation of the bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Nigeria and the United States Government.

The courtesy visit, which took place at the RSUTH Conference Room, was chaired by the Chief Medical Director, RSUTH, Prof. Chizindu Alikor.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Alikor, alongside members of the hospital management, welcomed the delegation to RSUTH and reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to the delivery of quality, patient-centred care, including care for patients living with HIV.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Deputy Director, Programmes, USCDC, Dr. Jerry Gwamma, said the visit was in furtherance of the MOU signed in November 2025 with the Honourable Minister of Health.

Dr. Gwamma explained that the MOU represents a strategic shift from siloed programming to an integrated, cross-cutting approach to health assistance, covering HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Maternal and Child Health, Polio Eradication and Immunization, and Global Health Security, among other areas.

He noted that sustainability of some services may become challenging going forward, particularly the provision of free medications, should funding from the US Government or the Global Fund be discontinued, and stressed the need for early enrollment of clients into social health insurance to mitigate out-of-pocket expenditure.

Prof. Alikor in response stated that a structured five-year programme would greatly support the transition process and ensure sustainability of services. He called for effective engagement of the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and relevant agencies in post-transition implementation discussions.

The Chief Medical Director further disclosed that RSUTH will engage the Rivers State Ministry of Health and the leadership of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme to develop modalities for the gradual enrollment of patients into health insurance over the next four years.

He noted that RSUTH will continue to do all within its mandate to ensure quality care for all patients.

The visit underscores RSUTH’s commitment to strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening health systems, improving service delivery and advancing the health and wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.

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