NHIA surpasses 2024 presidential medical insurance goal, plans 20% enrollment development in 2025
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has introduced that it has surpassed the 2024 presidential goal for medical insurance enrollment and is now set to extend development protection by an extra 20% in 2025.
The 2024 goal was designed to be achieved throughout the four-year tenure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General of NHIA, shared this objective in an interview throughout the 2024 Universal Health Coverage Day celebrations in Abuja.
While reflecting on the authority’s progress, key achievements, and imaginative and prescient for reaching Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2025, he stated two million Nigerians enrolled in medical insurance programmes on the federal and state ranges throughout the first 9 months of 2024.
“There is an increase in the total number of enrollees from 16.7 million to 19.2 million Nigerians, an impressive 14% growth in less than a year,” Dr. Ohiri revealed.
Addressing historic gaps in medical insurance protection
Dr. Ohiri stated earlier than the enactment of the National Health Insurance Act (NHIA) in 2022, Nigeria’s medical insurance protection had remained stagnant at round 7 % for almost 20 years.
According to him, this was primarily because of the restricted scope of medical insurance, which primarily served the formal sector, leaving weak populations underserved.
“Universal Health Coverage is not only a objective; it’s a vital basis for the well-being of each Nigerian. We are making important progress, however the work forward is simply as necessary.
“With continued collaboration, innovation, and a focus on equity, our target is to ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their socio-economic status,” Dr. Ohiri added.
NHIA units 5 key targets for 2025
Looking forward to 2025, the National Health Insurance Authority has unveiled 5 important targets geared toward increasing medical insurance protection and enhancing healthcare companies throughout Nigeria.
Dr. Ohiri, emphasised the significance of those initiatives in reaching Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“Looking forward, there are five must-win areas we aim to achieve,” stated Ohiri.
The NHIA plans to launch a devoted program in collaboration with the Pension Commission (Pencom) to offer medical insurance protection for pensioners, making certain that retirees will not be left with out healthcare safety.
To enhance public participation, the NHIA will leverage social media platforms and have interaction with the media constantly. This technique is geared toward educating Nigerians about the advantages of medical insurance and inspiring energetic involvement.
Ohiri revealed that the NHIA goals to extend medical insurance enrollment by 20% by the tip of 2025, surpassing the present presidential goal. This might be a big step in increasing protection to extra Nigerians.
- Electronic platform launch
A key improvement for the NHIA is the deliberate launch of an end-to-end digital platform. This platform will permit Nigerians to entry NHIA companies electronically, together with enrollment, claims submission, and complaints dealing with.
In a bid to sort out maternal mortality, the NHIA will broaden its maternal mortality discount intervention program, CeMoNC, to greater than 100 well being services throughout the nation.
“These initiatives will ensure that health insurance is more accessible and inclusive, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes for Nigerians,” Ohiri concluded.
These efforts signify the NHIA’s strategic route for 2025, specializing in inclusivity, digital transformation, and the enlargement of important healthcare companies.
