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The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced that health insurance coverage in Nigeria has risen to more than 22 million people, describing it as a major milestone in the country’s drive towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The feat was propelled by aggressive drive in the implementation of mandatory health insurance currently revving higher.
The Director General of the NHIA, Kelechi Ohiri, disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors in Lagos.
He said the Authority has shifted its focus from policy formulation to delivering measurable improvements in healthcare access, quality of service and consumer protection in line with the Federal Government’s health sector reform agenda.
According to Ohiri, implementation has become the defining factor in achieving universal health coverage.
“Nigeria has the policy. Nigeria has the legislation. The decisive variable is now implementation, consistent, rigorous and accountable execution that converts political commitment into healthcare access for real Nigerians,” he said.
The NHIA boss noted that the number of Nigerians enrolled in health insurance has increased to 22.03 million, representing a 35 per cent year-on-year growth. He attributed the increase to stronger collaboration with State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIAs), Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), organised labour, employers, the private sector and the gradual enforcement of the mandatory health insurance provisions contained in the NHIA Act.
He explained that the transition from the former National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to the NHIA has strengthened regulation, accountability, consumer protection and strategic purchasing, while providing the legal framework required to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
Ohiri also highlighted improvements in service delivery, saying the Authority has strengthened its complaints resolution mechanism, intensified monitoring of Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) and healthcare providers, and imposed sanctions on facilities that fail to meet required standards.
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“So far, 3,878 complaints have been resolved, representing an 87 per cent resolution rate, with 95 per cent concluded within prescribed timelines, over N14.2 million refunded to enrollees, and non-compliant facilities sanctioned,” he said.
To improve patients’ experience, he said the NHIA has introduced service standards, including a one-hour treatment commencement target for enrollees requiring urgent medical attention.
The Director-General also disclosed that the Authority has reviewed payment rates to healthcare providers to improve service quality. According to him, capitation payments have increased by 93 per cent, while fee-for-service reimbursements have risen by 378 per cent, enabling hospitals and clinics to invest in personnel, equipment and infrastructure.
He added that 7,592 healthcare facilities have so far been assessed under the SafeCare quality framework as part of efforts to institutionalise continuous quality improvement across the country.
On support for vulnerable Nigerians, Ohiri said the NHIA has provided healthcare coverage for more than 48,500 pregnant women, expanded maternal and newborn healthcare programmes, strengthened the Vulnerable Group Fund and increased support for pensioners and retirees.
He stressed that Universal Health Coverage can only succeed if quality healthcare is accessible to every Nigerian, irrespective of income or location.
The NHIA boss said the reforms are aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the health sector reform programme being coordinated by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate.
While acknowledging that challenges remain, Ohiri expressed confidence that the progress recorded so far has laid a solid foundation for achieving Universal Health Coverage through sustained implementation, stronger accountability and continued collaboration among stakeholders.
