The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a civil society organisation (CSO) yesterday urged the Federal Government to constitute the Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). This, it said, has become necessary because the functions and powers of the council are so critical and fundamental to the realisation of the new regime established in the NHIA Act.
It noted that, according to the Act, the powers of the Council are to approve and register for the Authority Third Party Administrators in any form; determine the overall policies, including the financial and operative procedures of the Authority; ensure the effective implementation of the policies and procedures of the Authority; regulate and supervise the various health insurances schemes established under the Act; and promote, oversee, collaborate and provide guidance to State Health Insurance Schemes.
Others are to issue guidelines for the administration and release of funds of the Authority; approve, license, regulate and supervise health maintenance organisations, mutual health associations and other institutions relating to the Authority as may be determined, among other critical functions of the Council.
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During the validation meeting of the policy on the full implementation of the NHIA Act, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID-SCALE), in Abuja, the Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyekpere, however, praised the establishment of the NHIA as a veritable tool to improve health outcomes, reduce catastrophic cost in accessing quality health care, protect the vulnerable groups, and ensure the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all Nigerians.
He stated: “To deepen health insurance coverage, the Authority should actively engage in public awareness and education on the establishment and benefits of the new health insurance regime. Scaling up citizens’ sensitisation on the benefits of health insurance is an approach that possesses the potential of improving health insurance coverage across the federation. This would, in turn, edge Nigeria closer to attaining UHC.”
The Director-General of the NHIA, Prof. Mohammad Sambo, who was represented by the Deputy General Manager, Legal, Egharevba Joy said: “The passage of the NHIA Act by President Muhammadu Buhari on May 19, 2022, has spurred stakeholders to come up with strategic recommendations on the actualisation of the provision of the Act.
“The best highlight for us is the mandatory health insurance, which will engender the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.
“Also, 83 million Nigerians will benefit from health services from the vulnerable group fund (VGF).”