Over 19 Million Nigerians Now Health Insured – NHIA

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) reports that over 19 million Nigerians have registered for health insurance programs, exceeding its target for 2024.

The Director-General of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, made this announcement in Abuja during a roundtable discussion commemorating Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, aimed at evaluating Nigeria’s pursuit of UHC, pinpointing obstacles and planning future actions.

This roundtable was part of the events organized for the observance of the 2024 UHC Day.

Naija News reports that the event focused on assessing Nigeria’s UHC journey, recognizing challenges, and outlining steps forward.

Ohiri noted that this accomplishment represents a major milestone in the NHIA’s mission to enhance healthcare accessibility for Nigerians through the health insurance initiative.

He mentioned that this success not only exceeds the 2024 goal but also positions the country at 95 per cent of its ambitious target for presidential coverage by 2027.

He credited this achievement to strategic policy reforms, fruitful collaborations with partners, and a steadfast dedication to universal health coverage.

“We are proud to announce that 19.2 million Nigerians have been covered by health insurance.

“This surpasses our 2024 target and places us within striking distance of achieving 95 per cent of the 2027 presidential target,” he said.

He said that the NHIA had worked tirelessly to implement innovative strategies.

“This includes the expansion of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and partnerships with state health insurance agencies to ensure affordable and accessible healthcare for all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable populations,” he said.

In his view, the milestone signifies the Federal Government’s dedication to providing quality healthcare as specified in the National Health Act.

He called on state governments and private sector partners to ramp up initiatives focused on maintaining progress and closing the remaining gaps in health insurance coverage.

He pointed out that this accomplishment occurred in the face of persistent challenges within Nigeria’s healthcare system, such as funding constraints, infrastructure shortcomings, and a shortage of human resources.

Nonetheless, the NHIA leader conveyed a sense of hope, highlighting that the agency’s strategic plan for 2025–2027 aims to enhance digital enrollment processes and incorporate informal sector workers into the insurance program.

“With the theme of this year’s UHC Day, health should reflect the type of government the country has and must make decisions that represent its aspirations.

“We should prioritise Primary Health Care,(PHC), as the bedrock of our health system,” he said.

The Health Commissioner of Yobe, Dr. Muhammad Lawal, stated that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is attainable and that we must strive towards it.

Lawal emphasized that there should be no compromise when it comes to the health of the populace, particularly for the most vulnerable groups.

Dr. Bolanle Olusola-Faleye from the USAID LHSS Project remarked that this is an excellent moment to commemorate UHC Day 2024, especially with reforms like the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) in effect.

Olusola-Faleye noted that SWAp has demonstrated positive results in various states through the coordinated Annual Operational Plan, which ensures that priorities are aligned.

Advocates for public health have praised the advancements made, calling it a crucial move towards realizing UHC in Nigeria.

Dr. Garfa Alawode, co-organizer of the UHC2023 Forum, described the achievement as praiseworthy.

However, Alawode pointed out that further efforts are necessary to guarantee that every Nigerian has access to affordable, quality healthcare services.

As Nigeria moves closer to its health insurance goal for 2027, Alawode urged for ongoing political commitment, increased financial resources, and effective oversight.

“This is to ensure that the gains are not only maintained but also translated into improved health outcomes for all citizens,” he said.