The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

  • Federal Govt keeps mum on NHIS crisis

    More than two months after the presidential panel set up to probe the crisis rocking the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) submitted its report, nothing has been heard on the controversy. VINCENT IKUOMOLA writes on the findings of the panel and the delay in implementing its recommendations.

    What is the outcome of the Presidential Investigative Panel on the leadership crisis that has been rocking the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the last few years?

    This is the question begging for an answer in and outside the health sector.

    To resolve the incessant crisis and mistrust in a scheme that is critical to the attainment of universal health coverage in the country, the Federal Government set up a probe panel, which included the Prof. Usman Yusuf-led management team and the NHIS board, led by Dr. Eyantu Ifenne.

    That was not the first time the NHIS boss would run into murky waters. He was first suspended and queried by the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, which led to accusations and counter-accusations. The outcome of the panel instituted by Prof. Adewole at the instance of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, then Acting President, did not see the light of the day.

    Much to the chagrin of watchers of the unfolding drama in the sector, Prof Yusuf, who was placed on indefinite suspension, was recalled by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari without any recourse to the outcome of the panel.

    Rather than fizzle out, the matter escalated, as the embattled NHIS boss’ second coming soon drew another round of controversies when he engaged in a running battle with the scheme’s board.

    The board and Prof Yusuf were embroiled in the faceoff for months over the scheme’s budget. Prior to the suspension of Yusuf, the board had refused to approve the budget for the running of the scheme following a disagreement on the proposal put forward by the suspended executive secretary. This led to his suspension and investigation by a committee set up by the board, opening another floodgate of accusations and counter accusations.

    Yusuf did not accept his suspension by the board, claiming that the board lacked the power to suspend him.

    When it was thought that peace had returned to the scheme, the bubble burst again. What started like a smoke soon snowballed into a fire; Yusuf was sent on his second suspension within 15 months. He was suspended on allegations of fraud, insubordination, criminal breach of Procurement Act, self-aggrandisement, and arbitrariness, among others. The romance between board and Yusuf only lasted three months, before the N25 billion planned investment for the scheme tore them apart.

    According to The Nation investigation, before Yusuf’s reinstatement in February, the then Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Attahiru Ibrahim, raised the idea of investing N25 billion of the scheme’s fund, on which he got the approval of the minister as there was no board in place then. However, a memo from the Ministry of Finance advising the Minister of Health against the idea was forwarded to the management of the scheme, nullifying the initial approval.

    But on resumption of office, Yusuf was alleged to have dusted the file and without recourse to the second memo from the minister, went to the board for approval. The board, it was learnt, found out about the other memo and felt bad that the executive secretary failed to let them know about the second memo. Then came the issue of budget for the running of the scheme. The budget submitted to the board was rejected five times on the grounds that it was unrealistic; hence, the executive secretary was asked to adjust it to reflect what was agreed by the board.

    The chair of the board, Dr. Ifenne, argued in a memo to NHIS boss, which was exclusively obtained by The Nation, that any attempt to approve the budget as presented would be misconstrued as a conspiracy to defraud the scheme. The board chair, therefore, implored Yusuf to reflect the council’s positions on the contentious areas as enumerated and re-present same for authorisation.

    The scheme, responsible for the regulation of the health insurance scheme in the country, did not have a budget to drive its 2018 operation two months to the end of the year. The management revised the budget submitted to the board, proposed revenue/income of N44.92 billion and expenditure of N64.73 billion, with a budget deficit of N19.81 billion, which was rejected as not reflecting the outcome of the board deliberations. The board rejected the budget on the ground that the deficit was unacceptably high at 30.6%. Besaides, the board pointed out that the revised budget was embellished with some suspicious duplication of expenditure items worth N264.9 million.

    Other observations by the board included the non-reflection of the N64 million allocations from the Federal Government in the revenue projections of 2018.

    No doubt, the feud has impacted negatively on the activities and responsibilities of the scheme, with enrollees bearing the brunt.

    However, to get to the bottom of the issues and reposition the scheme, the Presidency stepped in and set up a panel to look into the matter and come out with implementable recommendations. The panel, inaugurated on November 2, 2018 and charged with a five-point terms of reference, including the responsibility for examining all governance issues challenging the scheme, was given two weeks to submit its report. However, the assignment had to be extended due to the nature of the work and the need to address core issues on a lasting basis.

    Finally, after about two months, the panel turned in its report, precisely on December 24, 2018. More than two months after receiving the report, nothing has been heard from the government while the scheme is still being run by an acting Executive Secretary. However, it was gathered that one of the recommendations made by the committee was for the government to set up a draft white paper committee on the implementation of most of the report.

    Besides, it was also gathered that the outcome of the panel on the leadership crisis in the NHIS may not be favorable to Yusuf. According to findings, the panel noted that Yusuf was unable to work harmoniously with stakeholders, which impacted negatively on the scheme. The panel, it was learnt, also established cases of infractions of the public service rules against the embattled executive secretary. The panel therefore recommended for Prof Yusuf’s removal and also urged the Federal Government to set up a draft white paper committee on the implementation of suggestions of the panel to restructure the scheme.

    Besides, the panel, it was learnt also frowned against Yusuf’ failure to explore internal administrative remedies before filing a suit in court against the Federal Government.

    The panel report  stated: “Leadership problems: In view of the unhealthy relationship between the executive secretary and other stakeholders, (management staff, local unions, HMO’s Health care providers) as well as infractions of the extant rules and regulations, recommended that the executive secretary be relieved of his appointment.”

    The panel also established cases of infractions of the provisions of the procurement Act, sections 16(6) and 32(7), also rules 3125 (I) (a) and (b) of the financial regulations. Also, the panel recommended that the office of the Accountant General of the Federation should undertake an in-depth inspection of the scheme account books to determine current financial status of the scheme and also to take financial system review. To avoid a vacuum and ensure a smooth running of the scheme, the panel also recommended an interim management team with six months life span.

    The panel, which was set up by the Secretary to the Government Federation (SGF) following the suspension of Yusuf by the NHIS board, also recommended a total audit of the scheme. Receiving the report of the Presidential Independent Fact-Finding Panel on NHIS, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said that government regards the scheme as critical to its promise to Nigerians that they would enjoy qualitative and affordable healthcare.

    He noted that government also regards healthcare delivery as a cardinal programme on which huge investments have been committed because a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.”I receive this report with deep sense of appreciation and I assure you that the report would be expeditiously processed for implementation. I must thank you most sincerely for all the sacrifices made to ensure that this healthcare scheme which also borders on our security as a nation is made to stand firm on its feet and remain beneficial to all Nigerians.

    “Finally, let me assure you that the decision of government on the recommendations of the panel will be made public at the appropriate time. I also want to assure all Nigerians that this government remains very committed to making life worth living,” Mustapha said.

    Would Prof. Yusuf survive the latest suspension? Would he escape another sword of Damocles? Would he come out of the fire unhurt as he did in the first suspension saga? These and many more questions are waiting to be answered.

  • Federal Govt keeps mum on NHIS crisis

    More than two months after the presidential panel set up to probe the crisis rocking the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) submitted its report, nothing has been heard on the controversy. VINCENT IKUOMOLA writes on the findings of the panel and the delay in implementing its recommendations.

    What is the outcome of the Presidential Investigative Panel on the leadership crisis that has been rocking the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the last few years?

    This is the question begging for an answer in and outside the health sector.

    To resolve the incessant crisis and mistrust in a scheme that is critical to the attainment of universal health coverage in the country, the Federal Government set up a probe panel, which included the Prof. Usman Yusuf-led management team and the NHIS board, led by Dr. Eyantu Ifenne.

    That was not the first time the NHIS boss would run into murky waters. He was first suspended and queried by the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, which led to accusations and counter-accusations. The outcome of the panel instituted by Prof. Adewole at the instance of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, then Acting President, did not see the light of the day.

    Much to the chagrin of watchers of the unfolding drama in the sector, Prof Yusuf, who was placed on indefinite suspension, was recalled by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari without any recourse to the outcome of the panel.

    Rather than fizzle out, the matter escalated, as the embattled NHIS boss’ second coming soon drew another round of controversies when he engaged in a running battle with the scheme’s board.

    The board and Prof Yusuf were embroiled in the faceoff for months over the scheme’s budget. Prior to the suspension of Yusuf, the board had refused to approve the budget for the running of the scheme following a disagreement on the proposal put forward by the suspended executive secretary. This led to his suspension and investigation by a committee set up by the board, opening another floodgate of accusations and counter accusations.

    Yusuf did not accept his suspension by the board, claiming that the board lacked the power to suspend him.

    When it was thought that peace had returned to the scheme, the bubble burst again. What started like a smoke soon snowballed into a fire; Yusuf was sent on his second suspension within 15 months. He was suspended on allegations of fraud, insubordination, criminal breach of Procurement Act, self-aggrandisement, and arbitrariness, among others. The romance between board and Yusuf only lasted three months, before the N25 billion planned investment for the scheme tore them apart.

    According to The Nation investigation, before Yusuf’s reinstatement in February, the then Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Attahiru Ibrahim, raised the idea of investing N25 billion of the scheme’s fund, on which he got the approval of the minister as there was no board in place then. However, a memo from the Ministry of Finance advising the Minister of Health against the idea was forwarded to the management of the scheme, nullifying the initial approval.

    But on resumption of office, Yusuf was alleged to have dusted the file and without recourse to the second memo from the minister, went to the board for approval. The board, it was learnt, found out about the other memo and felt bad that the executive secretary failed to let them know about the second memo. Then came the issue of budget for the running of the scheme. The budget submitted to the board was rejected five times on the grounds that it was unrealistic; hence, the executive secretary was asked to adjust it to reflect what was agreed by the board.

    The chair of the board, Dr. Ifenne, argued in a memo to NHIS boss, which was exclusively obtained by The Nation, that any attempt to approve the budget as presented would be misconstrued as a conspiracy to defraud the scheme. The board chair, therefore, implored Yusuf to reflect the council’s positions on the contentious areas as enumerated and re-present same for authorisation.

    The scheme, responsible for the regulation of the health insurance scheme in the country, did not have a budget to drive its 2018 operation two months to the end of the year. The management revised the budget submitted to the board, proposed revenue/income of N44.92 billion and expenditure of N64.73 billion, with a budget deficit of N19.81 billion, which was rejected as not reflecting the outcome of the board deliberations. The board rejected the budget on the ground that the deficit was unacceptably high at 30.6%. Besaides, the board pointed out that the revised budget was embellished with some suspicious duplication of expenditure items worth N264.9 million.

    Other observations by the board included the non-reflection of the N64 million allocations from the Federal Government in the revenue projections of 2018.

    No doubt, the feud has impacted negatively on the activities and responsibilities of the scheme, with enrollees bearing the brunt.

    However, to get to the bottom of the issues and reposition the scheme, the Presidency stepped in and set up a panel to look into the matter and come out with implementable recommendations. The panel, inaugurated on November 2, 2018 and charged with a five-point terms of reference, including the responsibility for examining all governance issues challenging the scheme, was given two weeks to submit its report. However, the assignment had to be extended due to the nature of the work and the need to address core issues on a lasting basis.

    Finally, after about two months, the panel turned in its report, precisely on December 24, 2018. More than two months after receiving the report, nothing has been heard from the government while the scheme is still being run by an acting Executive Secretary. However, it was gathered that one of the recommendations made by the committee was for the government to set up a draft white paper committee on the implementation of most of the report.

    Besides, it was also gathered that the outcome of the panel on the leadership crisis in the NHIS may not be favorable to Yusuf. According to findings, the panel noted that Yusuf was unable to work harmoniously with stakeholders, which impacted negatively on the scheme. The panel, it was learnt, also established cases of infractions of the public service rules against the embattled executive secretary. The panel therefore recommended for Prof Yusuf’s removal and also urged the Federal Government to set up a draft white paper committee on the implementation of suggestions of the panel to restructure the scheme.

    Besides, the panel, it was learnt also frowned against Yusuf’ failure to explore internal administrative remedies before filing a suit in court against the Federal Government.

    The panel report  stated: “Leadership problems: In view of the unhealthy relationship between the executive secretary and other stakeholders, (management staff, local unions, HMO’s Health care providers) as well as infractions of the extant rules and regulations, recommended that the executive secretary be relieved of his appointment.”

    The panel also established cases of infractions of the provisions of the procurement Act, sections 16(6) and 32(7), also rules 3125 (I) (a) and (b) of the financial regulations. Also, the panel recommended that the office of the Accountant General of the Federation should undertake an in-depth inspection of the scheme account books to determine current financial status of the scheme and also to take financial system review. To avoid a vacuum and ensure a smooth running of the scheme, the panel also recommended an interim management team with six months life span.

    The panel, which was set up by the Secretary to the Government Federation (SGF) following the suspension of Yusuf by the NHIS board, also recommended a total audit of the scheme. Receiving the report of the Presidential Independent Fact-Finding Panel on NHIS, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said that government regards the scheme as critical to its promise to Nigerians that they would enjoy qualitative and affordable healthcare.

    He noted that government also regards healthcare delivery as a cardinal programme on which huge investments have been committed because a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.”I receive this report with deep sense of appreciation and I assure you that the report would be expeditiously processed for implementation. I must thank you most sincerely for all the sacrifices made to ensure that this healthcare scheme which also borders on our security as a nation is made to stand firm on its feet and remain beneficial to all Nigerians.

    “Finally, let me assure you that the decision of government on the recommendations of the panel will be made public at the appropriate time. I also want to assure all Nigerians that this government remains very committed to making life worth living,” Mustapha said.

    Would Prof. Yusuf survive the latest suspension? Would he escape another sword of Damocles? Would he come out of the fire unhurt as he did in the first suspension saga? These and many more questions are waiting to be answered.

  • What FG must do to address dearth of healthcare professionals

    Prof. Usman Ahmed, Provost, College of Health Sciences, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa, says Nigeria must establish Federal University of Health Sciences in six geo-political zones to address inter-disciplinary rivalry and dearth of healthcare professionals.

    Ahmed, who is also a Professor of Health Sciences at the University of Salford, Manchester, Britain, make this known on Friday in Abuja.

    He noted that basic sciences were the same, saying: “You can train up to 10 different healthcare professions in the same class.

    “Right from the word go in their training, they will begin to realize everybody’s importance and begin to work as a team even as students.

    “You can have an inter-disciplinary team and a discipline related team working together. That way, you will forever have harmony in the health sector.’’

    According to him, the suggested universities of health sciences should be under a National University of Health Sciences University Commission, and not the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    “Because NUC is currently training healthcare professionals particularly doctors without any reference to what the country needs.

    “There is no conversation between ministries of health and education in the training of healthcare professionals and that is why we are where we are today,’’ he said.

    To further address the shortage of health professionals and enhance equitable distribution of health workers, the don suggested the establishment of National Health Workforce Commission.

    Ahmed said the proposed National Health Workforce Commission should be a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Health.

    Read Also: Foundations join forces against mental health challenges

    He added the proposed commission would monitor the training of health workers and ensure equitable distribution of healthcare professionals in the country.

    Ahmed lamented that National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as it was currently composed was not the way Nigeria should be marching towards realizing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

    He said there was a need to change the narrative at NHIS as well as the way Federal Ministry of Health was going about achieving UHC.

    In this regard, Ahmed also suggested the establishment of National Health Service through modification of the NHIS Act, adding the proposed agency will provide mandatory and compulsory public funded health services.

    He added that the proposed National Health Service should be funded through public fund and certain percentage of government revenue, adding that every worker from either public or private sector should contribute to the service.

    “Government should use at least two per cent of the annual tax every year to cover older people, who are 60 years and above, and those who are not working and cannot afford to contribute.

    “It should start by covering essential services which are easily define in the details of the SDGs particularly goals number three (health and well being) the commonest conditions that affect all Nigerians,’’ he said.

    He added that on top of the basic healthcare coverage, there should be a private insurance coverage for those who want more additional coverage.

    Ahmed said the private health insurance providers should be the current HMOs.

    He said that the HMOs should be given licence to operate as private health insurance providers licensed by the proposed national health insurance service.

    Ahmed said NHIS as it was currently composed could not be the proposed National Health Service but the NHIS could be transformed into that.

    “Part of the transformation means modifications and amendment to the NHIS Act and the National Health Act 2014,’’ Ahmed said.

  • Niger government to join NHIS – Commissioner

    The Niger Government has expressed its readiness to join the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) so as to improve health care delivery to the citizens.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Jibril Mustapha, conveyed the government’s plans at a news conference in Minna on Thursday.

    He said that the state government was signing up for the scheme in its efforts to make health care delivery accessible for the residents.

    He noted that workers in the state were often finding it difficult to access healthcare services because of cash constraints.

    Read Also: Hospital conducts free surgeries on 200 VVF patients in Sokoto

    Mustapha said that the adoption of the scheme would facilitate the efforts of the state government to meet the health care needs of its workers.

    He said that a bill on the introduction of health insurance scheme would soon be sent to the state House of Assembly.

    He said that the scheme would enable residents to access health care services by paying a small percentage of the service charges.

    “We have already provided modern health facilities for all our health institutions,” he added.

  • I didn’t sue Presidency over ‘suspension’ – NHIS Chief

    National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Executive Secretary Professor Usman Yusuf on Thursday denied suing President Muhammadu Buhari or Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha over his “suspension”.

    He said he had accepted the directive to proceed on leave of absence from Monday and remains loyal to the President.

    According to him, he only went to court to seek interpretation of the NHIS Governing Council’s powers to suspend him two days before he got the letter asking him to proceed on leave of absence.

    He vowed to suspend the legal proceedings and not to interfere with the Independent Fact-Finding Panel set up by the Presidency.

    Yusuf, through his lawyer Mr Uche Val Obi (SAN), said the news that he took the Presidency to court over his purported suspension by the NHIS Governing Board was fake.

    Obi clarified that his client approached the Federal High Court through an originating summons filed on October 29, with NHIS, Minister of Health, and the Attorney-General as defendants.

    The SAN said Yusuf sought judicial interpretation and determination of questions on the propriety or otherwise of the Governing Council’s action in suspending him without Presidential approval or following due process of law.

    Obi said Yusuf also sought consequential order setting aside his suspension by the Council, including its appointment of a General Manager to act in his place during the period of the purported indefinite suspension.

    Obi said the suit was served on the defendants on October 30.

    The SAN said Yusuf received the letter from the office of the SGF on October 31 at 4.30 pm from the Minister of Health directing him to proceed on administrative leave on the President’s approval.

    “Having received the Presidential directives as conveyed in the SGF’s letter aforesaid, our client hereby confirms that he welcomes the Presidential intervention and remains obligated to fully and strictly comply with the directives.

    “He will accordingly be proceeding on administrative leave with effect from Monday, 5th November 2018 so as to give room to the Independent Fact-Finding Panel set up by the Federal Government to carry out its important task of investigating the allegations of infractions leveled against him by the Governing Council of the Scheme.

    “Similarly, our client wishes to pledge his continued loyalty to Mr. President and to fully cooperate with the incoming Overseeing Director, Mr. Ben Omogo, with whom him he has already met, and the Independent Fact-Finding Panel set up by the Presidency to deal with the matter.

    “In view of this development, to ensure that there is no interference with the work and finding of the Panel and as instructed by our client, we shall be taking prompt steps to suspend the pending legal proceedings aforesaid,” Obi said in a statement yesterday.

  • HMOs clear airs on allegation of corruption

    The Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN) has called on the executive secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf to name and shame those health maintenance Organisations (HMOs)  who are breaching standards, or engaged in sharp practices, instead of what it described as persistent global condemnation of all HMOs by him.

    HMCAN is the umbrella interest-organisation for all HMOs in Nigeria.

    According to the Chairman, Tunde Ladele speaking in Lagos on Thursday, it is not possible that all HMOs are operating with total defaults, “as being advanced to the public by the NHIS’s Executive Secretary. As regulators, we believe NHIS has the statutory authority, the operational mandate, and instruments to enforce compliance in the industry”.

    Ladele said it is good to put the records straight on the refund of backlog of N2.1b, to NHIS, saying, “On his assumption of duty at the Scheme in 2016, Prof Yusuf without once consulting with the HMOs, till this moment, insisted vehemently that the 50 percent of this payment of this backlog to HMOs must be refunded, threatening to shut down the industry otherwise”.

    “As critical investors with huge investments in the Nigerian healthcare space, the HMOs unanimously agreed to make the refund to avoid dislocations in the industry,” said Ladele, adding, “it was therefore a business decision by the HMOs to make the refund, and not necessarily because the payment was not properly earned, an impression Prof Yusuf has labored to sell to the public”.

    Ladele added that the refunds HMOs are making to the NHIS is a sacrifice by the them to save the industry and the circumstances surrounding this need a clear understanding.

    Giving the background, Ladele said, “It was an actuarial recommendation that payments of capitation, fee-for-service and admin fee be reviewed on the average of every two years, in view of inflationary trends in the economy. However, no such review had taken place between 2005 and 2012”.

    He added, “In response to pressure from critical stakeholders, such as healthcare facilities who are risk bearers at the primary level, the review finally occurred in 2012. Consequently, capitation was increased from N550.00 to N750.00, fee-for-service from N89.00 to N112.50, while administrative fee went up from N91.00 to N129.00”.

    Read Also: Fighting corruption should not be selective — Mimiko

    Ladele said NHIS implemented this review, except for fee-for-service outstanding from 2012 to 2015, amounting to N2.1b, adding, “HMOs, being risk bearers at secondary and tertiary levels are expected to pay for services authorized at these two levels for fee-for-service as denominated and defined by NHIS. After a very long wait, fifty percent of the backlog of N2.1b was paid by NHIS to the HMOs in 2016, leaving a balance of 50 percent to date, and on his resumption at the Scheme in 2016, Prof Yusuf insisted that the 50 percent of this backlog to HMOs must be refunded, and we did,”.

    As of today, according to Ladele, all the 59 HMOs were deactivated without concrete cause, as “majorities were compliant with set criteria. We see this move as a betrayal of leadership inadequacies, poverty of administration and management skills, weak knowledge of technical issues, gross deficiencies in understanding of corporate governance and a sorry state of inability to relate well with higher authorities by Prof Yusuf,”.

    Ladele said the current bitterness and acrimony in the young industry is unnecessary and avoidable, saying, “Prof Yusuf should make himself available to answer to charges of procurement law breaches, abuse of office, and financial brigandage that are pilling against him, rather than stifle himself with this phobia for HMOs’.

  • NHIS crisis: Protesting workers call for scrapping of HMOs

    The crisis in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has taken a new dimension, as protesting workers Monday called for the scrapping of the Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs).

    This is the fifth day of the protest.

    They insisted that the Scheme can operate without the intervention of the HMOs as it is being practiced in some African countries.

    Read Also:NHIS as symptom of dysfunctional federation

    The Vice Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), NHIS chapter, Mr. Theophilus Egwadah, stated this while responding to questions from journalists in Abuja, Monday, in continuation of their protest for the Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf, to respect the suspension order given to him by the Governing Council.

    While noting that HMOs are among the major problems hindering the progress of the NHIS, Egwadah however, insisted that Prof. Usman Yusuf must step aside pending the outcome of the investigation of the allegations leveled against him.  .

    The workers however, vowed not to work with Prof. Yusuf, reiterating that President Muhammadu Buhari should compel him to step aside.

    Responding to the allegations that the union has been bought over by external influence, Egwadah noted: “HMOs are the intermediary between the regulator (NHIS) and the enrollees (the public). There is no personal relationship between me and the HMOs. In all the fora that I have attended, I have been telling them that HMOs are part of the problem we are having in NHIS.

    “The HMOs are stakeholders and have been participating in the scheme even before I was employed. We told Prof. Yusuf that this thing has to do with legislation, until the legislation takes care of these HMOs to exit them.

    “There are some African countries that are practicing their health insurance without HMOs. Some programmes like the Community Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS) we are running without HMOs, so the HMOs are only concern in the formal sector.”

    He, however, said that not all HMOs are bad.

    “It is not all of them that are bad, there are some of them that are actually killing the scheme which we know and we have suspended one of them, particularly, Precious HMO when there are reports of compromise.

    “Prof Yusuf has not delisted any HMO, rather he is busy making noise in the media and revealing to them some of the strategies we wanted to use against them. He is fighting everybody, fighting the staff, the HMOs, fighting hospitals and everybody,” he said.

    On the way forward for the scheme, he said: “The best option is for him to step aside.

    “His appointment has not been terminated, the Council only said, go on suspension  and let the committee carry out the investigation on these infractions.

    “The EFCC and ICPC have been investigating this man since 2016, up till now they have not concluded the investigation.”

    Also, the Chairman, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN)  and NHIS joint union, Comrade Olawuyi Kayode,  called on Federal Government to mount pressure on Prof. Yusuf respects the order give to him as 2019 elections are at the corner.

    “We need to help our president because election is around the corner and we don’t want the opposition party to use this as an advantage campaigning against our president.

    “That is why we are shouting and clamouring that the appointing power lies with the president, which is not in doubt, but we want Professor Yusuf to step aside to answer to all these allegations and infractions that has been leveled against him.”

  • Suspended NHIS boss forces way into office

    …As police teargassed workers

     

    There seems to be no end to the suspension drama of the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Prof. Usman Yusuf.

    Yusuf who was suspended last Thursday over some alleged infringement Monday forced his way into office.

    Read Also:Council suspends NHIS Executive Secretary indefinitely

    The council had noted that he would not be allowed into the office premises so as to allow the administrative panel do a thorough job.

    With heavy police presence within the NHIS Headquarters, at Jabi, it was obvious that the Executive Secretary would not just go without a fight as he had challenged the power of the council to suspend him, insisting that it is only the president who appointed him that can remove him from power.

    True to his words, he arrived office at around 9.am Monday morning accompanied by his aides and forced his way into the office

    One of his aides broke the padlock to the gate so as to allow the vehicle of the suspended Executive Secretary in.

    While the workers were still trying to resist, the police who were deployed to the scheme to keep law and order teargassed the crowd.

     

    Details later…..

  • Masari calls for more NHIS enlightenment

    Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State has urged the management of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to intensify efforts toward enlightening people in the state on the scheme.

    Masari made the call during a courtesy call by the NHIS Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf, on Wednesday in Katsina.

    He said the call became imperative because some people misunderstood the scheme, hence the need for more enlightenment.

    The governor said it was only when people understood the scheme that they would be able to enroll in it.

    Read Also: Masari tasks NHIS on Advocacy campaign in Katsina

    He further said the state government was making arrangements to enroll its workers in the scheme for their own benefits.

    Earlier, Yusuf explained that the bill establishing the NHIS which was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, provided that one per cent of Federal Revenue be spent on the health sector.

    Yusuf commended the administration of Gov. Masari for renovating and upgrading some general hospitals across the state.

    He also announced that the NHIS had opened a new Zonal Office in Kano to take care of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States for effective service delivery.

  • Masari tasks NHIS on Advocacy campaign in Katsina

    The Katsina state governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, Wednesday tasked the management of National Health Insurance Scheme-NHIS to carry out aggressive advocacy campaign to create the needed awareness level of its activities and for the people to understand its programme properly.

    Alhaji Masari who was speaking when he received the Executive secretary of the scheme, Professor Usman Yusuf during a courtesy call at government house, said the scheme, laudable as it is, could be misunderstood by the people as insurance affects the sensibilities of Muslims in general.

    The governor was however happy with the performance of a staff of NHIS who volunteered to educate people from some communities in Danja local government area, on the advantages of the scheme, which he said encouraged acceptance and participation.

    He said’’ the state government in collaboration with the state house of assembly, state chapter of Nigeria labor Congress NLC, Medical and Health Workers Union and others, to closely come up with a bill for an Agency to replicate NHIS in the state’’.

    ‘’ the new agency will no doubt reduce problems of seeking for donations for patients to buy drugs prescribed for them by Doctors in clinics and hospitals’’.

    Earlier in a remark, the Executive secretary of NHIS, Professor Usman Yusuf said the National Health Bill has been assented to by President Muhammad Buhari. He added that the bill had provided for one percent of realizable federal revenue to be expended on the health sector.

    Of the amount, he said five percent is secondary, forty five percent for primary healthcare while fifty percent is for the NHIS, stressing that although the scheme had been characterized by failures in the past, everything is being done to turn round the fortunes of NHIS.

    Professor Yusuf said he was part of the restoration agenda setting of the Masari led government even before the 2015 general elections and expressed happiness that the governor had started implementing the agenda in the renovated and upgraded hospitals across the state.

    He assured that before leaving Katsina, he will meet with relevant stakeholders to ensure the passage of the bill that would help the state to benefit from NHIS programmes.

    He announced the opening of a new zonal NHIS office in Kano to take care of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States.