Health Insurance is now mandatory for all Nigerians.

 

By Thomas Samuel.

In a landmark move towards achieving Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC), the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has declared that health insurance is now mandatory for all Nigerians and legal residents.

Muhammad Aminu Ardo, the Taraba State Coordinator of NHIA, disclosed this during a one-day Media and Public Sensitization forum  On NHIA Programmes and New reforms towards the attainment of UHC held at Doctors House in Jalingo.

The NHIA (National Health Insurance Authority) was established with the primary objective of promoting, integrating, and regulating Health Insurance while accelerating the drive towards UHC.

The State Coordinator Muhammad Ardo highlighted the fact that NHIA has undergone numerous reforms under the current Chief Executive Prof Mohammed Nasiru Sambo who took leadership in 2019, with the most recent being the enactment of the National Health Insurance Authority Act in 2022.

This new Act has brought about several crucial changes, making health insurance mandatory for all Nigerians.

It has also introduced the review of tariffs on a three-year basis, the establishment of State Health Insurance Agencies (SHIAs), and the creation of the  Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), among other significant reforms.

The Chairperson of the occasion who is also the General Manager of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Jalingo, Haj. Nihaad Umar emphasized the influential role that the media plays in shaping society.

She noted that involving key media players in Taraba would significantly contribute to the wider acceptance of NHIA programs.

During the event, key media outlets, including the NTA, the Taraba State Broadcasting Service (TSBS), Taraba Television (TTV), Shimo FM, Rock FM, and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Gift FM expressed their appreciation for NHIA's proactive efforts and commitment to partnering with the Authority to achieve common goals.

Furthermore, representatives from Civil Society Organizations, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), and school proprietors conveyed their support for Health Insurance.

Papers were presented on the new reforms within NHIA by M A Ardo (the State Coordinator), operational modalities of organized private sector program & the Group, Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP) by Thomas Saave Kwaghgba (Principal Officer, Programmes), and the Benefits Package & Exclusions under the NHIA programs by Dr. Yakubu Sani Elyakub (Head, SQA).

A central theme of the presentation was the model where employers contribute ten percent for their employees, while employees are responsible for paying five percent of their basic salary under the Organised Private Sector Programme and the Payment of fifteen thousand naira per annum per individual to access Health Insurance Coverage.

The mandatory health insurance for all Nigerians, along with the recent reforms, marks a significant step towards improving healthcare accessibility and affordability across the nation.

As these policies and initiatives take effect, the NHIA aims to transform healthcare delivery and enhance the overall well-being of the Nigerian population while accelerating the drive towards UHC.