The State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIA) Forum in Nigeria has urged for collective action to improve enrolment in state health insurance programs.
During the first quarter review meeting held in Abuja on Friday, the Chairman of the CEOs, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi stressed the critical importance of heightened participation amidst the healthcare challenges facing the nation.
Onyemaechi , emphasizing the pressing need to tackle healthcare complexities and extend coverage to mitigate the burden of out-of-pocket expenses, particularly among underserved communities, the chairman stressed the urgency of the matter.
In urging Nigerians to seize the opportunity for a healthier future, he called for active involvement in state social health insurance schemes.
ALSO READ: CSOs advocate scale-up, access to health insurance for vulnerable, poor
Highlighting the benefits of health insurance, with a specific focus on preventive care, Onyemaechi underscored its potential to reduce disease burdens and enhance overall health outcomes.
He said that affordable healthcare is a fundamental right, however, encouraging Nigerians to safeguard both their health and financial well-being through enrollment in these schemes.
Addressing the challenges faced, he acknowledged persistent issues such as inadequate funding and administrative bottlenecks.
Onyemaechi emphasized the crucial role of sustained state government commitment, public-private partnerships, and ongoing community engagement to overcome these obstacles.
Proposing practical solutions, he advocated for streamlined enrolment processes and enhanced outreach efforts, including the deployment of mobile registration units and community-based programmes to reach marginalized populations even in remote areas.
Onyemaechi noted that state social health insurance schemes offered coverage for essential medical services, preventive care, and emergency treatment by pooling resources and spreading risks.
He highlighted the pivotal role these programmes play in shaping the country’s healthcare landscape, as Nigeria aspires for universal health coverage.
Concluding his address, he called for concerted efforts and collective action to secure a healthier, more resilient future for all Nigerians and their families, underlining the success of state social health insurance schemes as crucial in achieving the goal.
NAN
