Healthcare: NHIS To Improve Coverage Through Technology

THE National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has assured Nigerians that technology will be used to ensure a systematic coverage of the informal sector as well as the public and private sectors by 2030.

The General Manager, NHIS Zonal Office Department, Hajia Asmau Mohammed, disclosed this at an interactive stakeholders’ forum organised by the agency in Lagos.

She explained that there was an urgent need to cover poor Nigerians in the country by providing comprehensive and affordable healthcare service to them.

Mohammed noted that the scheme had adopted a 10-year strategic plan to accelerate the drive towards achieving Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians.

Mohammed she said the event provided a platform to discuss critical aspects of health service delivery, including quality management and measures to ensure stakeholder satisfaction, as well as engender transparency and accountability through stakeholder involvement in decision-making.

While ruling out a new initiative of the scheme, General Manager, Formal Sector Department, Dr. Jonathan Ndubuisi Eke, explained that group, individual, family social health insurance programme (GIFSHIP) had been designed to provide health coverage and financial risk protection for families, groups and individuals not covered under any of the existing programmes.

According to him, the enrollment process is seamless, while the coverage is the same as applicable to the public and organised private sector enrollees.

A pharmacist and Head of Accreditation Division, Femi Adeoye, advised that enrollees visit state office to exercise their rights to request change.

Coordinator of the State Office, Ms. Catherine Tanzamado, expressed confidence in the repositioning agenda of the NHIS management.

She noted that it would create greater synergy among stakeholders and promote quality service delivery.