The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced that over 20 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the national health insurance scheme. According to Adamu Abdullahi, Acting Zonal Coordinator for the North Central Zone, which comprises Kwara, Niger, and Kogi states, this milestone is part of the authority’s effort to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. Nigeria aims to enroll 44 million people in the scheme, enabling them to access affordable healthcare services.
The NHIA has introduced various reforms to ensure optimal healthcare delivery, including an increase in tariffs for capitation and fee-for-service payments. The capitation fee has been raised from N750 to N1,450 per registered life under health insurance. These reforms are part of the authority’s efforts to align with current demands and improve the quality of healthcare services.
President Bola Tinubu has made health insurance enrollment compulsory for all citizens, emphasizing the need for Nigerians to have access to quality healthcare. The NHIA is working towards achieving this goal through its various initiatives, including the introduction of NHIA-branded drugs to ensure easy access to medications for enrollees.
To reduce waiting times for referrals from primary to secondary healthcare, the Federal Government has introduced the “One-Hour Referral Authorisation Code.” This initiative aims to ensure that enrollees do not face difficulties when accessing healthcare services. The NHIA has also introduced other intervention programs, including the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEMONC) program, designed to tackle the leading causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
The authority has commenced a monitoring and evaluation exercise, known as “Mystery Shopping,” to ensure that health facilities provide quality services to enrollees. The government is committed to ensuring that enrollees receive the right treatment at healthcare facilities, with a focus on quality assurance.
The NHIA’s efforts to achieve UHC by 2030 are part of the broader healthcare reform agenda in Nigeria. With over 20 million people already enrolled in the scheme, the authority is working towards scaling up healthcare services and improving access to quality care for all Nigerians. The introduction of new initiatives and reforms aims to strengthen the healthcare system and ensure that all citizens have access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
