The Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Social Health Insurance Agencies on Friday said 8,107,795 persons have been enrolled into the health insurance scheme across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) since 2018.
The chairman of the forum, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi made this known at the first quarter meeting of the forum in Abuja.
Dr Onyemaechi said Universal Health Coverage (UHC) will not achieved if any state is left behind in the scheme, noting that Rivers and Akwa Ibom states are not part of the scheme.
He said the informal sector which accounts for 70 per cent of the population contributes less than one million out of the eight million people recorded.
He said this calls for increased political will and improved awareness level.
The chairman also calls for greater involvement in supporting health insurance initiatives.
“Collaboration with national health authorities and ministries is essential in ensuring the success of health insurance programmes nationwide, this underscores the need to prioritise the health and well-being of all citizens.
“I call on stakeholders to rally around the vision of UHC and make it a reality in Nigeria. With active engagement with relevant authorities, I am optimistic in overcoming challenges and ensuring that Nigeria gets it right in its pursuit of comprehensive health insurance coverage,” he added.
He noted that insecurity in some states, high cost of medicines and medical consumables due to inflation, inability to utilise services, poor political will, and organised labour resistance are disrupting service delivery and enrollment drive.
Speaking at the event, the Director- General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Dr Kelechi Ohiri reiterated the government’s commitment to improving healthcare accessibility in the country.
Dr Ohiri said the NHIA is working with pharmaceutical manufacturers and aggregators on the medicines initiative “to see how we can keep the cost of drugs lower by aggregating and getting economies of scale.
“You have our support, don’t just see us as just regulators but as partners in this journey to expand access to Nigerians and reduce the health poverty in our country,” he said.
In her remark, the Permanent Secretary and CEO of the Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, emphasized the need for inclusiveness for vulnerable populations.
Dr Zamba reiterated the need for coordinated efforts and strategic governance in advancing health insurance agendas.