The National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, has disclosed that it has expanded the national health insurance scheme to cover some extreme health cases including people with HIV and for TB patients, with pilots under way in four states.
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National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) was established under the National Health Insurance Act which was signed into law on 19 May 2022, replacing the National Health Insurance Scheme Act of 1999.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors, NAIPE, in Lagos, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, the Director General, NHIA, represented by Mrs. Aisha Abubakar Haruna, acting Director, Lagos regional office of the NHIA, announced that the no fewer than 20 million Nigerians are now covered. The number covered is up from 16.8 million in 2023.
He said: “As of June last month, NHIA has achieved 20 million enrollees in the health insurance. This was the combined efforts by the state health insurance agencies, health maintenance organizations and the National Health Insurance Scheme. As a matter of fact, we have exceeded the mandates that have been given to us by the president. He gave us a target which we exceeded in June.
“We have a significant jump from 16.8 million Nigerians enrolled by 2023. By June 2025, we have hit 20 million. We have also embarked on addressing drug shortages and care delays via the multi-project strategy.”
The NHIA boss noted that from 2024 to 2025, NHIA has strategically intervened in the revision of tariffs revising the accreditation processes and mandating one hour limit on care authorization while mitigating any previous issues for medicine shortages, denial, delay in issue codes and provider payment delays.
NHIA has a mission to mobilize and pool financial resources for strategic purchasing of affordable and quality health care for all Nigerians. It’s mandate is to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria by 2030.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
