The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced its intention to surpass the presidential mandate of enrolling 20 per cent Nigerians into health insurance by 2025.
The Director-General of NHIA, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
He spoke during the commemoration of the 2024 Universal Health Coverage Day.
Ochiri announced an increase in health insurance coverage during the past year from 16.7 million to 19.2 million Nigerians—an impressive 14 per cent growth in less than a year.
Ochiri also revealed the inauguration of a programme aimed at vulnerable women, ensuring access to life-saving care regardless of financial constraints.
“If a woman comes in with an obstetric complication and cannot afford care, we ensure that money is not a barrier. She will receive treatment, and NHIA will underwrite the cost.
“The programme also incorporates family planning services and ensures that patients leaving hospitals are enrolled in health insurance to cover future needs,” he explained.
He added that NHIA had scaled up partnerships with multiple hospitals, signing Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with 11 health facilities, adding that its also MoUs with 18 facilities for the Obstetrics Fistula Intervention Programme including 4 national obstetrics fistula centres.
“Over 1,000 women with fistula have been treated under the programme, with costs being verified and paid directly to hospitals by independent administrators.”
He also announced plans to expand NHIAs scope in 2025 by focusing on four key areas.
The NHIA boss further announced that the plans to expand NHIA scope in 2025 is focused on four key areas which include the areas with increasing enrollment in maternal health, elderly care and digital transformation.
He also stressed the importance of citizen engagement and media partnership to raise awareness about health insurance benefits and increase uptake.
“We cannot do this alone. The media plays a critical role in educating Nigerians and holding us accountable.
“Together, we can ensure that every Nigerian is aware of these programmes and how they can access them.”
He noted that NHIA remains committed to its mandate of making healthcare affordable and accessible to all Nigerians, focusing on equity, quality care, and sustainability.
NHIA Exceeds Presidential Target, Enrols 19.2 Million Nigerians is first published on The Whistler Newspaper