NHIA Targets 30 Million Nigerians in Health Insurance Coverage by 2025

The Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, has announced the agency’s ambitious target of extending health insurance coverage to 30 million Nigerians by 2025.

 

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He made this disclosure during a strategic session with the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists in Abuja, Nigeria, emphasizing NHIA’s commitment to providing equitable access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.

According to Dr. Ohiri, the enactment of the NHIA Act in 2022 marked a turning point in health insurance reform, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and efficient system.

He revealed that the agency had achieved a remarkable increase in coverage, growing from 16.7 million enrollees to 19.2 million in just one year, a 14% increase.

“In 2025, our goal is to significantly scale up health insurance coverage, reaching 30 million Nigerians,” Dr. Ohiri said.

“This vision aligns with our mandate to ensure financial protection and access to quality healthcare for every citizen, regardless of their socio-economic status.”

The NHIA’s key initiatives include the CMON program, designed to eliminate financial barriers for women with obstetric complications. Dr. Ohiri disclosed that over 571 claims have been successfully processed under this program since its inception.

“Another major milestone is the obstetric fistula care initiative, which has restored health and dignity to more than 1,000 women through comprehensive treatment”. He added.

“We are committed to addressing inequities in healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable groups. These efforts are crucial as we continue to expand the scope and impact of health insurance in Nigeria”. He added.

Dr. Ohiri highlighted other ongoing reforms within the NHIA, such as an upward revision of service tariffs to reflect current economic realities.

“Capitation rates have been increased by 60%, while fee-for-service tariffs were raised by 40% to ensure that healthcare providers are adequately compensated, leaving no room for service denial”. He explained.

“In addition to financial reforms, the NHIA is leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and transparency. Plans are underway to roll out a digital platform to streamline service delivery, improve access, and facilitate real-time monitoring of health insurance activities”. He said.

The DG also emphasized the critical role of public awareness in achieving the agency’s objectives. “We are intensifying citizen engagement to rebuild trust and ensure that every Nigerian understands the benefits of health insurance.

“Complaints from beneficiaries are welcomed, as they serve as a feedback mechanism to improve our services”. He noted.

Addressing the inclusion of marginalized groups, Dr. Ohiri revealed NHIA’s plans to incorporate pensioners, the elderly, and other vulnerable demographics into the health insurance system. This initiative underscores the agency’s commitment to leaving no one behind.
Dr. Ohiri also acknowledged the media’s contribution to the agency’s progress.

“The media is a vital partner in this journey. We rely on them to amplify our message and drive awareness across the country”. He said.

 

As the NHIA gears up to meet its 2025 target, the DG reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to its mission. “Our vision is to create a health insurance system that guarantees equitable access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians”. He added.

The announcement has been widely welcomed by stakeholders, who expressed optimism about the NHIA’s ability to deliver on its promise and contribute to achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria.

The Acting Director of Enforcement at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Habib Abdulhamid, highlighted the authority’s achievements in addressing complaints and enforcing compliance across the healthcare system.

Dr. Abdulhamid revealed that from January to October 2024, the NHIA received 2,591 complaints, of which 1,678 were against healthcare facilities and 913 against Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).

“The authority achieved an impressive complaint resolution rate of 82%, with 85% resolved within the established timeline”. He said.

Dr. Abdulhamid emphasized the authority’s commitment to citizen engagement, ensuring that enrollees are aware of their rights to report grievances. The NHIA categorized complaints by stakeholder type, investigated them, and imposed sanctions when breaches were established.

“Among healthcare facilities, 251 breaches led to actions including warnings, corrective measures, monetary penalties, and even delisting. Specifically, 141 corrective actions, 97 monetary refunds, and 12 delistings were recorded. Against HMOs, 75 breaches resulted in 53 warnings and 22 monetary refunds, amounting to ₦748,200”. He added.

Additionally, Dr. Abdulhamid noted the NHIA’s focus on transparency and collaboration, which has been instrumental in its enforcement efforts.

He credited the support of the Director-General and ongoing reforms for the successes recorded. He urged stakeholders and enrollees to continue engaging with the NHIA, assuring them that all complaints are addressed promptly and fairly.

“The refunds to enrollees totaled ₦3,647,300, further underscoring the authority’s commitment to accountability and service excellence”. He said.