HealthNewsNigeriaWellnessHealth Insurance Will Fast-track Quality Health Care–Sambo

Sambo, represented by Dr Eke Jonathan, General Manager, Formal Sector Department, NHIS, said the scheme was embarking on some reforms to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

“The Three Point Rebranding Agenda is anchored on restoring a value system that will transform NHIS into a credible result-driven organisation.

“Engendering transparency and accountability in the entire operations of the Scheme and accelerating the drive towards achieving universal access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.

“Under these reforms, NHIS has now become a peaceful organisation; most of the operational, financial and administrative bottlenecks are fast being resolved and innovative strategies are being introduced.

“The attainment of UHC in Nigeria, in alignment with President Muhammadu Buhari’s Health Sector Next Level Agenda, requires an effective framework for coordination, integration and harmonisation of efforts of all stakeholders in the health insurance space.

According to him, after series of meetings and deliberations, there is now a draft policy document for HIUOR.

In his remarks, Dr Niyi Oginni, the Chairman, Forum of CEOs, State Health Insurance Agencies (SHIAs) in Nigeria, congratulated the management and staff of NHIS for achieving the feat.

“I have the mandate of members of the Forum of CEOs of SHIAs to draw our attention to some grey areas in the draft policy.

“We have drawn attention to some grey areas which we raised at the level of the Technical Working Group (TWG) and by individual States at different fora but which are yet to be attended to.

“It is our hope that the issues raised will be objectively deliberated on by all stakeholders present and the suggested amendments adopted in order to ensure smooth operationalisation of the policy.”

He reiterated the commitment of members to the successful implementation of the HIUOR policy and the desire to leave no stone unturned to accelerate the march towards attainment of UHC.

According to Oginni, each SHIA has its own laws and operational modalities and has started to record impressive success in coverage rate as at the beginning of the year 2020.

“A workshop of stakeholders was conducted in Nasarawa State at which a framework was designed and adopted by a TWG set up to develop a policy document  to reflect the operations of the HIUOR policy,” Oginni said.

Also, Dr David Atuwo, a Director and Senior Technical Assistant to Minister of State for Health, commended NHIS for developing HIUOR.  Atuwo, who spoke on behalf of the ministry, said it was important that all stakeholders support the validation of the document.

“HIOUR is a mechanism for achieving UHC which is meant to coordinate health insurance by all operators in Nigeria.