The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate on Wednesday said at least 750,000 Nigerians have been enrolled into the National Health Insurance Scheme in the last nine months.
Prof Pate disclosed this during the third edition of the ministerial press briefing series in Abuja.
The briefing series was initiated to provide a platform for public officials to reel out their achievements and update Nigerians on the challenges of governance.
The minister explained that the government has so far made substantial strides in expanding health insurance coverage.
He observed that financial challenges frequently discourage individuals from seeking medical care, leading the government to work persistently towards enhancing the accessibility and affordability of health insurance schemes.
“By supporting enrollment initiatives and streamlining administrative processes, we have extended coverage to millions of Nigerians, safeguarding them against the financial hardships associated with healthcare expenses,” he said.
“Since the beginning of this administration, we have enrolled about 750,000 more Nigerians in health insurance.”
In August, Dr. Salma Anas, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Health, announced plans to extend health coverage to more than 50 million Nigerians, with a focus on the vulnerable and elderly.
Dr Anas emphasized the commitment to leaving no one behind in achieving universal health coverage in the country.
Aligning with this initiative, the government launched the operational guidelines for the 2022 National Health Insurance Authority Act in October, aiming to guarantee affordable healthcare services for all Nigerians.
The guidelines are to facilitate the implementation of health insurance and to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind.
BHCPF
Prof Pate said the government remain committed to providing access to quality health for all Nigerians through the Vulnerable Group Fund and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
He disclosed that the Federal Government will be releasing N50 billion as the first tranche of the BHCPF, a significant increase from N25 billion allocated in 2022.
He said this infusion of funds will breathe new life into the country’s primary healthcare facilities, ensuring that quality care is accessible to all citizens.
Healthcare digitalization
Prof Pate said the healthcare system in the country will be digitalized as part of the ministry’s agenda for the healthcare sector.
He said digitalization is poised to revolutionise healthcare delivery in Nigeria, and the government is committed to embracing this transformation
“Within the next two weeks, we will unveil a comprehensive program to digitize our healthcare system, streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and improving patient outcomes,” he said.