In a bid to extend health insurance coverage to more Nigerians, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, the nominee for Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), pledges to enact significant reforms.
During his screening at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, Dr Ohiri emphasized the critical need to address the inadequacies in Nigeria’s health insurance system.
He highlighted that less than seven per cent of Nigerians currently enjoy financial protection from healthcare costs, a figure that has stagnated below 10 per cent since its inception.
To propel Nigeria towards universal health coverage, Dr Ohiri stressed the necessity of increasing this coverage significantly.
Policy Framework and Awareness
Dr Ohiri identified several factors contributing to low insurance coverage, including deficiencies in the policy framework and limited awareness among Nigerians.
He acknowledged the need for comprehensive policy reforms and intensified public education campaigns to promote the benefits of health insurance.
Addressing financial barriers to insurance, Dr Ohiri proposed interventions such as the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and the Vulnerable Group Fund.
These initiatives aim to support individuals who lack the financial means to afford insurance premiums, thereby broadening the scope of coverage.
In response to queries from the Senate Committee on Health, Dr Ohiri outlined plans to accurately assess the number of individuals covered by health insurance across both formal and informal sectors.
He affirmed the importance of harnessing health insurance to alleviate citizens’ out-of-pocket expenses, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children under five, pregnant women, and the elderly.
