The National Health Insurance Scheme is fully ready to reposition the health insurance ecosystem to focus on the collective drive towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Mohammed Nasir Sambo, represented by Dr Jonathan Eke at the Health Insurance Under One Roof (HIUOR) Document Validation Meeting held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
He said that the three Point Rebranding Agenda is anchored on i) Restoring a value system that will transform NHIS into a credible result driven organization, ii) Engendering transparency and accountability in the entire operations of the Scheme, and iii) Accelerating the drive towards achieving universal access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
He reiterated that under these reforms, NHIS has now been become a peaceful organization; most of the operational, financial and administrative bottlenecks are fast being resolved and innovative strategies are being introduced.
“Notable among these reforms efforts are: the strengthening the NHIS State Offices, recovery of NHIS trapped funds, reforming the financial management system of the organization, restoring the confidence of stakeholders and automating NHIS business processes, Prof. Mohammed Sambo said.
He said, “For the attainment of UHC in Nigeria which is in alignment with President Muhammadu Buhari Health Sector Next Level Agenda requires an effective framework for coordination, integration and harmonization of efforts of all stakeholders in the health insurance space in Nigeria. This is the basis of the concept of Health Insurance Under One Roof (HIUOR).
“Health Insurance Under One Roof was widely discussed at a three-day workshop was held at the Goshen City, Nasarawa State, attended by participants from State Health Insurance /Contributory Agencies across the nation, the National Health Insurance Scheme, Development Partners and Civil Society Organizations among other stakeholders.
“At the end of the three-day retreat, some resolutions were reached among which was the setting up of a Technical Committee to drive the process for the production and adoption of a policy document with clear monitoring and evaluation framework.
Prof. Mohammed Sambo appreciated the World Health Organization who provided valuable technical support to the Committee through a consultant and are also supporting Health Insurance Under One Roof (HIUOR).
“You and I now have the all-important task of validating this document before it is finalized, printed and distributed, Prof. Mohammed Sambo said.
He encouraged Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Health Insurance Agencies to treat the task with all seriousness as he believes that working together through Health Insurance Under One Roof will fast track our progress towards ensuring quality and affordable healthcare for all Nigerians.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIAS), Dr. Adeniyi Oginni, said that each State Supported Health Insurance Schemes (SHIS) has its own laws and operational modalities and had started to record impressive success in coverage rate as at the beginning of this year, 2020 when the leadership of NHIS, recognizing the poor coordination and regulation of the industry came up with the policy of Health Insurance Under One Roof which was a welcome development in the industry.
While congratulating the Executive Secretary, management and staff of the NHIS for the step in the right direction in regulating and coordinating health insurance activities in Nigeria, Dr. Adeniyi Oginni said he has the mandate of members of the Forum of CEOs of SSHIAs to draw its attention to some grey areas in the draft policy which were raised at the level of the TWG and by individual states at different fora but which are yet to be attended to.
“Consequently, these grey areas will be presented in this meeting with a view to resolving them before the policy document is validated. It is our hope that the issues raised will be objectively deliberated on by all stakeholders present and the suggested amendments adopted in order to ensure smooth operationalization of the policy, Dr. Oginni said.
He reiterated the Forum’s commitment to the successful implementation of the HIUOR policy and its desire to leave no stone unturned in accelerating the march towards attainment of UHC for our great country.
