The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has lauded the remarkable progress recorded in Nigeria’s health sector within the past year under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
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Speaking during the 9th BHCPF Meeting held in Abuja, the Minister highlighted the expansion of primary healthcare services and the significant increase in access to health insurance for Nigerians.
Prof. Pate disclosed that more than 10 million Nigerians have benefited from critical services provided by BHCPF-funded primary healthcare centers, while over 2.4 million citizens have been newly enrolled in health insurance schemes.
“This brings the total number of insured Nigerians to 18.6 million, marking a significant step toward achieving universal health coverage in the country”.
“This is just one year of progress, and we expect to achieve even more in the coming year”. He noted, emphasizing the commitment of the Federal Government to improving healthcare delivery for all Nigerians.
The Minister also highlighted efforts to ensure proper utilization and accountability in the disbursement of funds from the BHCPF. According to him, there has been a concerted effort to enhance governance mechanisms to guarantee that resources reach their intended beneficiaries, the poorest and most vulnerable populations.
He called on citizens to play an active role in monitoring the resources allocated to primary healthcare centers in their communities, urging them to report any discrepancies to ensure transparency and accountability. “Every penny disbursed must translate to quality primary healthcare services”. He stressed.
Prof. Pate acknowledged the positive impact of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative unveiled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “These are early steps, but they appear to be working. The challenge now is to sustain and build on this momentum in 2025,” he said.
The Minister expressed optimism that the ongoing reforms and increased financing for the health sector would continue to yield significant results, positioning Nigeria as a leader in primary healthcare service delivery in Africa.
The Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, provided an update on the recent progress and challenges in health insurance coverage in Nigeria.
He revealed significant milestones achieved in the country’s health insurance landscape.
“In 2023, only 16.7 million Nigerians were covered under various forms of health insurance. As of November 2024, that number has risen to 19.2 million, with projections exceeding 20 million before the end of the year.
Dr. Ohiri emphasized that this rapid progress toward the 20 million target, originally set for four years, demonstrates the collaborative efforts of the NHIA, state health insurance schemes, and private health insurance providers”. He said.
One of the major achievements highlighted by the DG is the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHPF), which now covers 2.6 million people.
This represents an increase of 200,000 individuals over the last quarter, ensuring that even those who cannot afford premiums receive financial support for primary healthcare services.
Dr. Ohiri stressed that this initiative will also cover referrals to secondary care, aiming to eliminate financial barriers to accessing healthcare.
Despite these gains, Dr. Ohiri acknowledged several ongoing challenges. Key among them is low awareness about health insurance, with many Nigerians still unaware of the benefits and mechanisms of health coverage.
He called on the media and stakeholders to play a vital role in raising awareness and educating the public about the importance of insurance, particularly in ensuring access to quality care.
“Another major concern is the rising costs of healthcare, which has led to increased premiums. To address this, NHIA has already undertaken a 60% capitation increase and a 40% fee-for-service payment hike for providers”. He added.
Dr. Ohiri assured that further actuarial studies will be conducted to ensure premiums remain reflective of actual healthcare needs, preventing providers from citing inadequate funding as a barrier to care.
On the issue of retirees, Dr. Ohiri noted the historical lack of continuity in health insurance coverage post-retirement. “The NHIA is working to establish mechanisms such as “GiveShipR,” which allows retirees to maintain coverage without interruption”.
He emphasized the importance of risk rating, ensuring that premiums are adjusted based on the increasing healthcare needs of the elderly, ensuring they remain part of the system.
Dr. Ohiri reiterated that health insurance is a collective responsibility, advocating that Nigerians should pool resources to ensure comprehensive healthcare access for all. “We can pull all our risks and resources together, so no one has to pay the full cost of healthcare, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, is included”. He stated.
With these ongoing initiatives and strategies, the NHIA remains committed to achieving universal health coverage, ensuring that more Nigerians are protected against financial hardship when accessing healthcare.
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