The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has outlined various health insurance programmes available to individuals, including young adults, the self-employed and the elderly.
This followed complaints by many Federal Government workers and enrolees of the health insurance scheme in Abuja on how to access healthcare after retirement.
Many of the civil servants complained that on retirement upon the attainment of 60 years of age or 35 years in service, the workers would be dropped off the scheme, which is the time they become elders and needed health insurance more due to age-related complications.
The workers also complained about their minor dependants who would also be dropped off the scheme when they attain the age of 18, asking how and where the young adults would access Medicare when dropped.
The Director-General of NHIA, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, therefore, reeled out the different options and programmes available to all age categories to
access healthcare services in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ohiri, who said that the different programmes were aimed at expanding healthcare access to all Nigerians, underscored the importance of the Group Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP), a flexible and accessible insurance plan designed to cater for the healthcare needs of Nigerians, regardless of their employment status.
He said that young adults who have just turned 18 and do not yet have any form of health insurance can also enrol under GIFSHIP.
He added that “the GIFSHIP programme requires an annual premium of N45,000, which provides coverage for essential healthcare services.
“An 18-year-old can simply visit any NHIA office with his/her National Identification Number (NIN) certificate and a passport photograph to complete the registration process.
“GIFSHIP is particularly beneficial for those not employed in formal services, including private business owners, the self-employed and individuals of all ages.
“Such individuals are automatic candidates for GIFSHIP. The premium of N45,000 not only covers the individual but also extends to two additional related persons.”
In a bid to make healthcare more affordable, he said that “GIFSHIP also allows group registration.
“Groups can consist of as few as 10 people, with each member contributing N15,000 annually.
“This option is ideal for communities or organisations wanting to collectively secure healthcare coverage, he said.
The NHIA boss added that the benefit package includes surgeries, diagnostic services, and more.
He acknowledged that public awareness of health insurance was gradually improving due to strategies being implemented to educate Nigerians on the benefits of health insurance at the national and state levels.
He added that to improve awareness, NHIA launched a comprehensive communication campaign using both traditional and social media platforms.
“Our information and education programmes are broadcast on Radio Nigeria, and we are actively engaging the public on X (formerly Twitter),
YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
“We are also executing group marketing strategies to reach wider audience.”
For elderly individuals who have never worked in the formal sector, he assured that they too can access healthcare through GIFSHIP.
He noted that “the registration process remains the same, with N45,000 premium covering their healthcare needs.”
Addressing concerns about healthcare for civil servants who have completed their service to the country, he revealed that while the government was considering specific programmes for retirees, they can currently enrol in GIFSHIP too, to ensure continuous health coverage after retirement.
He reiterated NHIA’s commitment to providing affordable and accessible healthcare for all Nigerians.
Ohiri said, “We are dedicated to ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in accessing the healthcare he/she needs, regardless of employment status.”
According to him, the efforts are part of a broader goal to cover different segments of society, including public and private sector employees, uniformed services and vulnerable groups such as children under five years old, pregnant women and displaced persons.
He pointed out that NHIA offers several insurance packages that cover consultations, tests, medical consumables and minor surgeries.
Among these, he added, is the Government Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme which allows private individuals,
families and groups to enjoy the same benefits as those in the formal sector.
The programme is an affordable option for managing healthcare costs, with registration requirements that include the National Identification Number (NIN), birth certificate, passport-sized photograph and an annual fee which depends on the chosen plan.
For new registrations, particularly for Federal Government employees, the NHIA has outlined specific requirements such as an appointment letter, office ID, recent payslips, and proof of family status.
Additionally, the NHIA has made provisions for the addition of dependents and the option to change hospitals to ensure flexibility and comprehensive coverage for all enrollees.
NAN
