FHIS reiterates the need for Health Insurance

On Apr 12, 2023

The Director, Federal Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Ahmed Danfulani has reiterated the need for all residents of Abuja to key into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme.

He made the call during the opening session of a two-day engagement with the media on the need to create more awareness of the scheme to residents of the FCT.

Dr. Danfulani, who spoke on the overview of Universal Health Coverage, stated that the access to healthcare should not be based on the availability of funding.

He emphasized on the need for everyone to key into the scheme with a small amount, adding that healthcare services must be made available to all on equity basis, without subjecting one to danger.

“We are working towards Universal Health Coverage by 2030. The concept of UHC is well embedded in the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Part of the benefits of UHC is increase in life expectancy, reduction in mortality and morbidity rate, increase in total revenue and predictability of revenue for healthcare businesses, hospitals and pharmacies.

“There are also economic benefits of UHC such as increase in productivity, creation of business opportunities, reduction in unemployment and others,”Dr. Danfulani said.

The FHIS Deputy Director, Operations, Dr. Amina Zakari, said that the agency was determined to achieve UHC in the FCT through the FHIS.

However, she urged residents to access any hospital of their choice, noting that FHIS was present in almost all the hospitals in the FCT, and that what is required is just N13,500 annual payments for all accommodated services of the scheme.

The Executive Director, International Society for Media in Public Health Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, while speaking on the topic, ‘Principles of Effective Journalism,Communication/Engagement for Health/Life, called on journalists to be alive to their responsibility of informing, educating and entertaining the public.

She added that the media has a role to play in encouraging people to buy into the health insurance scheme, noting that no one is immune to sickness, disease or death.

“No one is spared out of illness; everyone is subject to it. We must do all we can to always check on our health regularly.

“Many diseases, medical conditions or death can be totally avoidable if we work towards that. Nigerian journalists must be alive to their responsibility of informing the public about basic needs of life, including health,” Makanjuola added.

Wumi/Punch