By ABUJAH RACHEAL

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has unveiled a transformative agenda to expand health insurance coverage, improve equity, enhance the quality of care, and boost efficiency across Nigeria?s healthcare system.

The ?Director-General of the authority, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja to commemorate the 2024 Universal Health Coverage Day (UHCD).

Ohiri reflected on the journey so far, key achievements, and the vision for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2025.

The director-general noted that before the enactment of the National Health Insurance Act (NHIA) in 2022, Nigeria?s health insurance coverage stagnated at approximately seven per cent for nearly two decades.

He said ?this was largely due to the limited scope of health insurance, which predominantly served the formal sector, leaving the poor and vulnerable underserved.

?The NHIA aims to address these gaps by enforcing mandatory health insurance, increasing public awareness and restoring trust in the system.?

He said the authority had launched initiatives such as the obstetric fistula care programme and an emergency care programme for women with obstetric complications, ensuring financial barriers do not hinder access to life-saving care.

He added that ?a 40-60 per cent increase in tariff was also implemented to reflect current economic realities and rising medical costs. This adjustment ensures healthcare providers can deliver adequate and timely care.

?The NHIA has made significant progress in expanding enrollment under the new framework, incorporating vulnerable populations through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).?

He said that transitioning from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to the NHIA enabled a shift from service provision to comprehensive regulation and oversight of the health insurance industry.

He emphasised the critical role of citizen engagement, data-driven decision-making and organisational restructuring in achieving the agency?s goals.

?We cannot afford to stagnate at seven per cent coverage. Our mission is to ensure that every Nigerian understands the benefits of health insurance and that these benefits translate into real and meaningful access to quality care,? Ohiri said.

Meanwhile, as the NHIA aims to surpass the presidential target of enrolling 30 million Nigerians into health insurance by 2025, he acknowledged on-going challenges which include fragmentation within the industry and the need for consistent stakeholder collaboration.

He also revealed plans to focus on vulnerable populations by expanding financial access to life-saving care for women and the elderly, increasing enrolment efforts and enhancing healthcare infrastructure through digital transformation.

The director-general reiterated the authority?s determination to building a system where no Nigerian is left behind, as it continues to work toward achieving universal health coverage by 2025.

With these bold initiatives, he said, NHIA is charting a new course for healthcare financing in Nigeria.

Stakeholders at the event told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that NHIA must remain optimistic about the potential for a more inclusive, efficient and equitable healthcare system.

NAN recalls that the UHCD is observed annually on Dec. 12 to advocate for equitable access to quality healthcare for everyone without financial hardship.

Established by a UN resolution in 2017, it highlights the importance of universal health coverage in achieving health equity and well-being.

The day serves as a call to action for governments and stakeholders to strengthen healthcare systems, ensure accountability and promote awareness of UHC as a critical goal for global health. (NAN)

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