The Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, has announced that the Federal Government aims to enroll at least 40 percent of Nigeria’s population into health insurance schemes by 2030.
This ambitious target is part of the government’s broader plan to achieve universal health coverage and ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare services.
Dr. Ohiri made the announcement at the Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria’s (HMCAN) annual conference and induction ceremony held on Thursday. He lamented that despite the existence of health insurance in Nigeria for over two decades, there were still significant unmet needs in the sector.
“The current state of the health insurance industry in Nigeria is a far cry from what it should be,” Dr. Ohiri remarked, stressing that about 99 percent of Nigerians in the informal sector were yet to be incorporated into health insurance packages.
As the keynote speaker at the event, he underscored the critical role health insurance plays in preventing financial hardship.
“Health insurance is essential for preventing financial hardship and ensuring that individuals can access quality healthcare without fear of financial ruin,” he stated.
Ohiri outlined four key areas of focus for the government, which include expanding coverage to all Nigerians, improving equity to ensure that no one is left behind, enhancing the quality of care, and ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of the entire health insurance system.
To achieve these goals, the NHIA DG emphasized the need for collaboration among all stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and civil society organizations.
“Achieving these goals will require the collaboration of all stakeholders,” he said, stressing the importance of enforcing mandates, creating awareness, and rebuilding trust in the health insurance system.
He also highlighted that the NHIA Act of 2022 mandates employers to provide health insurance for their employees, a law which he believes must be strictly enforced. “The government must find ways to enforce this mandate,” he urged.
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During the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, spoke about the importance of integrating healthcare into the mainstream economy. He explained that healthcare provision has two components: providing health to those who can afford it, and ensuring access to healthcare for vulnerable populations.
Prof. Abayomi emphasized the role of the government in supporting vulnerable communities through subsidized healthcare, equity funding, and the provision of basic healthcare needs.
“The government must promote the concept of insurance to minimise out-of-pocket spending,” he added, noting that such spending could be financially devastating for individuals and families.
On the issue of healthcare quality, Abayomi stressed the need for continuous improvement to ensure individuals have access to care that meets their needs.
“We must work to improve the quality of healthcare services, ensuring that individuals have access to quality care that meets their needs,” he reiterated.
One of the panellists, Otunba Lekan Ewenla, also stressed the need for healthcare organizations to treat healthcare as a business.
“Healthcare is a business that must be driven with all the paraphernalia of business,” said Ewenla, who is the Managing Director/CEO of Ultimate Health Management.
He further called for stricter regulation and enforcement of laws to ensure that healthcare providers and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) comply with industry standards.
“The government must work in improving the quality of healthcare services, ensuring that individuals have access to quality care that meets their needs,” he concluded.
The conference highlighted the need for a concerted effort from all stakeholders to achieve the goal of expanding health insurance coverage and ensuring that all Nigerians have access to affordable and quality healthcare.
