Ensuring Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria: A Focus on Actualization and Expansion

Strategic Insights -

Senator Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), emphasizes the importance of implementing the National Health Insurance Act to achieve universal health coverage for Nigerians. The NHIA aims to expand health insurance to vulnerable groups, including those living below the poverty line, and to increase coverage to 50% of the population within the next five years. To achieve this goal, the NHIA is strengthening its regulatory arm, introducing technology to improve services, and enhancing the quality of care.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NHIA aims to expand health insurance to all Nigerians, with a focus on the organized sector, vulnerable groups, and those living below the poverty line.
  • Senator Dr. Oloriegbe emphasizes the importance of increasing the pool of insured individuals to improve the quality of services and reduce out-of-pocket spending on health.
  • The NHIA is strengthening its regulatory arm to improve the registration and monitoring of HMOs and health providers.
  • The authority is introducing technology, including mobile registration and a unique insurance number linked to NIN, to eliminate fraud and improve tracking of claims.
  • The NHIA is implementing a scheme, GIFTSHIP, to allow individuals to purchase health insurance for others.
  • The presidential target for the NHIA is to increase the number of health insurance enrollees to 20 million by 2027, with a long-term goal of achieving universal health coverage by 2030.

Statistics:

  • 70% of Nigeria's population lives below the poverty line, which is $2 per day.
  • The NHIA aims to increase the number of health insurance enrollees to 50% of the population within the next five years.
  • The presidential target for the NHIA is to increase the number of health insurance enrollees to 20 million by 2027.

Sources:

  • Interview with Senator Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)
  • The National Health Insurance Act
  • The Abuja Declaration of 15% of the budget to health.