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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) said the reforms in the system have begun to yield the expected result, adding that they are increasingly winning the confidence of Nigerians.
It reaffirmed commitment to expanding health insurance coverage in order to reduce the financial burden of healthcare on Nigerians.
Director General of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, told journalists at a sensitisation workshop for self-paying agent of the Authority in Abuja, that NHIA has already recorded remarkable progress, with coverage now exceeding 21.1 million Nigerians as of August 2025, in addition to several other new initiatives that was recently introduced.
“These include the obstetric fistula care programme and an emergency care initiative designed to assist women experiencing obstetric complications and eliminate financial barriers to essential care,” he said.
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Dr. Ohiri, who was represented by the director of the Formal Sector Department, Mr. Ajodi Nuhu Nasir, made reference to his agenda that revolves around expanding health insurance coverage, improving equity through subsidies for vulnerable groups, enhancing healthcare quality through strategic purchasing, and ensuring market efficiency by strengthening risk pools and unlocking private sector potential.
He added that initiatives such as the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) and the Fistula Free Programme (FFP) have already provided access to critical healthcare services for thousands of women nationwide. “This was aimed at engaging self-paying agencies to deepen understanding of health insurance processes and improve the enrollee experience.”
A consultant with NHIA, Dr. Victor Adekunle, in a presentation, urged participants to build a share sense of institutional and personal responsibility for the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.
Dr. Adekunle said health is not just a privilege. It is necessary to take care of the majority of the population because health is one of the key factors that guarantees the well-being of any nation.
