The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced a significant milestone in the country’s healthcare sector, with 19.2 million Nigerians now enrolled into health insurance coverage.
This figure represents a 14% increase from the previous baseline of 16.7 million, marking a remarkable achievement in the NHIA’s efforts to expand healthcare access to more Nigerians.
Speaking at the end-of-year briefing with on Wednesday in Abuja, the Director General of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, noted that this achievement is a testament to the authority’s whole-of-government approach, which includes collaboration with state health insurance schemes and other stakeholders.
While speaking further, the DG explained that initiatives such as Fistula Care Program, which offers free treatment for women suffering from obstetric fistula, and the SIGOP Program, designed to reduce maternal deaths by eliminating financial barriers during emergencies.
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“When a woman is presented with a life-threatening obstetric complication, money must never be a barrier. We override the cost to ensure her survival and subsequent enrollment into health insurance.”
He raised concerns about the challenges posed by Nigeria’s fragmented health insurance landscape, which includes 83 private insurers and 37 state health insurance agencies.
He stressed the need to rebuild public trust, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance awareness to encourage more Nigerians to enroll in health insurance programs.
“Trust is key. Nigerians must be confident that when they are insured, they will receive the promised care.
“The NHIA has increased capitation rates by 60% and professional fees by 40% to align with rising medical costs, while actuarial studies are being conducted to ensure premiums reflect industry best practices,” he stated.
Looking ahead, NHIA has set ambitious goals for 2025, including, 20% increase in enrollment, leveraging state-of-the-art technology to streamline operations; Expanded access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) services in over 100 facilities nationwide.
Collaborations with PenCom to provide health insurance for retirees, ensuring a safety net for this vulnerable group.
“Our vision is to create a system where every Nigerian, irrespective of socioeconomic status, has access to quality healthcare,” Dr. Ohiri said.
He highlighted plans to launch a fully digital platform to integrate enrollment, claims submission, and complaint management, enhancing efficiency and user experience.
The NHIA has also signed MOUs with 11 hospitals and is working with key organizations, including the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the African Center for Population Health Policy, to ensure sustained progress.
“We are not just building a scheme; we are building an authority that redefines healthcare delivery in Nigeria,” Dr. Ohiri emphasized. “Every reform we implement revolves around the patient’s needs.”
Also speaking, the Acting Director of Enforcement, Dr Habib Abdulhameed, said, NHIA has made significant progress in its efforts to improve healthcare service delivery in Nigeria.
He disclosed that a total of 2,591 complaints were received between January and October 2024, adding that out of these, 1,678 complaints were against healthcare providers, while 913 complaints were against the NHIA itself.
He said, the Agency had achieved an 82% resolution rate for complaints received, as he attributed its success to its decentralized complaints handling system, which allows complaints to be handled at the state level.
Abdulhameed also credited its robust monitoring and evaluation system, which enables it to track complaints and ensure that they are resolved promptly.
“The NHIA’s complaints handling process involves several steps, including receipt of complaints, investigation, and resolution. The authority also imposes sanctions on healthcare providers that fail to meet its standards.”
“In 2024, the NHIA imposed sanctions on several healthcare providers, including warnings, fines, and suspension. A total of 100 healthcare providers were sanctioned, with 97 cases resolved,” he added.
