By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has expressed readiness to pursue the realization of Universal Health Coverage (UCH) in Nigeria by the year 2030 through its new reforms.
Adamu Abdullahi, the Acting Zonal coordinator of North Central at the NHIA gave the assurance while speaking to journalists in Minna, the Niger State Capital.
Abdullahi explained that by the passage of the National Health Insurance Act 2022, the Federal Government has repositioned the NHIA to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in accessing healthcare services.
“The National Health Insurance Authority has undergone many reforms and one of which is the signing into law of the NHIA as a mandatory program for all Nigerians and other legal residents.
“More responsibility is now given to us to ensure we carry along the state health insurance authority, work out the basic minimum of health services which has to do with benefits package as well as expanding the scope of our coverage to now include Nigerians in the informal sector,” he said.
He noted that with the attainment of over 90 percent health insurance coverage for formal sector workers, the NHIA through a series of programs now covers artisans, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), as well as Community-based populations.
He added that the NHIA has created a 20 years strategic plan for the actualization of health insurance for all Nigerians, with a focus on ensuring continuity.
He said that the NHIA would, in the coming months make strategic changes that will see increased monitoring of some stakeholders who earlier held strongholds in the operation of the erstwhile National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS).
“Our concern is in ensuring that every Nigerian has access to healthcare services.
“The new law which brought forth the NHIA has weakened the position of some parties in the scheme. Section 3 of the NHIA Act has introduced Third Party Administrators. These TPAs ranging from Mutual Health Associations (MHAs), State Social Health Authorities, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), would equally serve decisive positions in ensuring adequate implementation,” he said.
He further disclosed that the authority was developing the e-NHIA, a digital system introduced to create a central database for enrollees.
On her part, the Niger State coordinator of NHIA, Mrs. Fatima Omowumi Abdulkadir said that the state focal center for the NHIA has since commenced sensitization across local government areas in the state to educate Nigerlites on the benefits available to them.
She urged enrolees to support the Authority by reporting any abnormality observed while accessing services in NHIA-accredited centers in the state.
“When you go to a facility and are denied some services, don’t hesitate to report to the state coordinator.
“It is your right to complain because these services have been paid for on your behalf,” she said.
This online platform reports that the former President, Muhammadu Buhari with the signing of the NHIA Act repealed the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Act and made health insurance mandatory for Nigerians.
Previously a scheme, the Federal Government through the reform sought to ensure more coverage and in addition, more responsibility to the authority to integrate, regulate, and implement the programs of the FG.
The NHIA is now centered on three principles which are transparency and accountability, new value orientation to ensure delivery, and thirdly, drive towards UHC by 2030.
