A total of 19.2 million Nigerians have enrolled in health insurance at both national and state levels, reflecting a 14% increase from the previous figure of 16.7 million, the Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Kelechi Ohiri, has said.
The milestone is seen as a significant step toward expanding healthcare access across the country as the agency highlighted its target to achieve a further 20% increase in enrollment by 2025.
However, he expressed concern over the fragmented health insurance system, which includes 83 private insurers and 37 State health insurance agencies, describing it as a challenge to creating a unified and efficient healthcare framework for Nigerians.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the agency’s end-of-the-year briefing, the DG commended the agency’s achievements in healthcare reform, crediting its success to collaboration with state health insurance schemes and stakeholders.
He highlighted key initiatives such as the Fistula Care Program, which offers free treatment for women with obstetric fistula, and the Saving One Million Lives (SIGOP) program, designed to reduce maternal deaths by eliminating financial barriers during emergencies.
“When women face life-threatening obstetric complications, financial constraints must not hinder their survival. We waive costs to ensure immediate care and subsequent enrollment into health insurance,” the DG said.
He noted that the agency expanded access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) services in over 100 facilities nationwide.
The DG, however, expressed concerns about Nigeria’s fragmented health insurance system, which comprises 83 private insurers and 37 State health insurance agencies.
He emphasized the need to rebuild public trust, enforce regulatory compliance, and enhance awareness to boost enrollment, saying, “Trust is crucial. Nigerians need to know that being insured guarantees access to care”.
To address rising medical costs, he said the NHIA increased capitation rates by 60% and professional fees by 40%, adding that actuarial studies are ongoing to ensure premiums align with industry standards.
He also disclosed that the agency has set ambitious targets for 2025, including a 20% increase in enrollment, expanded access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) services in over 100 facilities nationwide, and collaborations with the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to provide health insurance for retirees.
Furthermore, he revealed plans to launch a fully digital platform for enrollment, claims submission, and complaint management to enhance efficiency and user experience.
According to him, the NHIA has signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with 11 hospitals and partnered with organizations such as the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the African Center for Population Health Policy to sustain progress.
The DG reiterated the agency’s commitment to creating a system where every Nigerian, regardless of socioeconomic status, has access to quality healthcare.
“We are not just building a scheme; we are redefining healthcare delivery in Nigeria,” he said.
In his remarks, Habib Abdulhameed, Acting Director of Enforcement, disclosed that the NHIA received 2,591 complaints between January and October 2024.
Of these, 1,678 were against healthcare providers, while 913 were directed at the NHIA itself, he said.
According to him, the agency achieved an 82% resolution rate for complaints, which he attributed to a decentralized complaint handling system operating at the state level.
He further credited the success to a robust monitoring and evaluation framework that tracks complaints and ensures prompt resolution.
He said in 2024, the NHIA sanctioned several healthcare providers for non-compliance, including warnings, fines, and suspensions, including a total of 100 healthcare providers that faced sanctions, with 97 cases resolved.