The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) announced that more than 20 million Nigerians have now been enrolled in the national health insurance scheme. Acting Zonal Coordinator for the North Central Zone, Adamu Abdullahi, said this milestone supports the authority’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. Nigeria aims to enroll 44 million people, giving them access to affordable healthcare services.
To improve service delivery, the NHIA has introduced several reforms, including higher tariffs for capitation and fee‑for‑service payments. The capitation fee per registered life has been increased from N750 to N1,450. These changes are intended to align the scheme with current demands and raise the quality of care.
President Bola Tinubu has made health‑insurance enrollment compulsory for all citizens, stressing the importance of quality healthcare for every Nigerian. The NHIA is advancing this agenda through initiatives such as the launch of NHIA‑branded drugs, which aim to provide enrollees with easier access to medications.
To shorten waiting times for referrals from primary to secondary care, the Federal Government introduced the “One‑Hour Referral Authorisation Code,” ensuring that enrollees can obtain timely care. Additional programs include the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEMONC) initiative, which targets the leading causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
The NHIA has also begun a “Mystery Shopping” monitoring and evaluation exercise to verify that health facilities deliver quality services to enrollees. This effort reflects the government’s commitment to guaranteeing appropriate treatment and maintaining quality assurance across healthcare facilities.
Overall, the NHIA’s reforms and new initiatives are part of a broader healthcare reform agenda aimed at scaling up services, improving access, and ensuring affordable, quality care for all Nigerians as the country works toward UHC by 2030.
Comments are closed for this story.