The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has identified health insurance scheme as gateway to achieving universal health coverage and to attain Sustainable Development Goal 3, regarding “Good Health and Well-being”.

At a 2-day media dialogue in Ibadan, Oyo’ State, UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr. Ijeoma Agbo, charged journalists to raise awareness of the importance and benefits of health insurance at the grassroots and communities so that more people will embrace it and key into it.

The media dialogue organised by UNICEF attracted journalists from various media include newspapers, television and radio as well as the online media.

Agbo called on government to ensure prompt release of funds to enable vulnerable people to access health insurance.

According to her, “We need universal health coverage to achieve SDG 3. UNICEF is advocating to government to ensure prompt release of funds to enable vulnerable people to access health insurance and this is called vulnerable group fund.

“We are hoping that this fund will be released timely so that no one is left behind when it comes to access to health insurance. We also want more awareness at the grassroots and communities on importance and benefits of health insurance. We have to ensure that quality health services are provided to everyone when they need it”, she said.

As part of moves to tackle child mortality and the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses on vulnerable families, UNICEF stressed the need for the holistic adoption of the health insurance scheme.

She decried the exorbitant costs associated with medical treatment, saying that it often deters individuals and families from seeking timely and necessary healthcare services, particularly among the vulnerable, thereby increasing the risk of child mortality.

During the media dialogue tagged ‘Changing the Narrative on Child Mortality Through Health Insurance,’ Agbo said advocacy and awareness must be stepped up to attain Universal Health Coverage and the SDG.

In her presentation with topic, ‘Access to Health Insurance: A Gateway to Achieve Universal Health Coverage for All in Nigeria’, Ijeoma stated that the percentage of the population covered by health insurance has been steadily increasing over the years.

She, however, disclosed that significant gaps still exist, with a substantial portion of the population, especially the vulnerable, remaining uninsured.

She said: “Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is achieved when all people have access to high-quality essential services they need without facing financial hardship, particularly at the time of service delivery.

“Several states in Nigeria have introduced their own health insurance schemes to complement the NHIS and extend coverage to residents. These state-level schemes vary in scope, coverage, and implementation effectiveness and impact in terms of overall progress towards UHC.”

She emphasised that, to accelerate progress towards UHC in Nigeria, concerted efforts must be geared towards addressing systemic challenges as well as strengthening health systems.

According to her, “Achieving UHC requires a multi-sectoral and collaborative approach involving government agencies, healthcare providers, donor agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector, communities, and the media.”

She added that UNICEF is committed to working together with all stakeholders to overcome barriers, leverage resources, and ensure that all Nigerians have access to the healthcare services they need without financial hardship.

On her part, the Communication Officer, UNICEF, Blessing Ejiofor, stated that “access to health insurance plays an important role in ensuring that children receive timely healthcare services they need to survive, thrive and fulfill their potentials in life.”

She enjoined journalists to become active advocates by using their various platforms to draw the attention of everyone to the issue with a view to bridging the existing gaps in health insurance coverage for vulnerable populations.

The Executive Secretary of Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Olusola Akanda, while presenting OYSHIA scorecard “revealed that no fewer than 500,000 individuals would be insured in the state before 2024 runs out.

According to him, for Nigerians to key into UHC, there must be constant innovation in order to embrace UHC wholeheartedly.

Akande said Oyo state government committed more than N 1 billion to the scheme in the state, said that the premium package for the health insurance package is N13,500 and that is what the rich, poor, including the vulnerable pay annually to enjoy the health service package.