2030 UHC target: Health minister, NHIS meet donor agencies, implementing partners

In its efforts at resuscitating, repositioning and rebranding the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and achieve the  2030 global target for Universal Health Coverage (UCH), the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, and the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Prof. Mohammed Nasir Sambo, met with the donor agencies and the implementing partners.

Describing the engagement as very important, Prof. Sambo acknowledged the important roles of the donor agencies and the implementing partners in accelerating the attainment of UHC.

However, the NHIS Executive Secretary stated that the process of implementing health insurance for the benefits of Nigerians has, no doubt, be en very slow; adding that this can be seen in the low percentage of coverage of the population.

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He pointed out that when he assumed office as the Executive Secretary of the NHIS, the effort was exerted in identifying the challenges of the NHIS as a result of which a three-point agenda was unfolded.

Prof. Sambo said: “You will recall that recently the scheme, in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health and state governments have commenced the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to expand health care coverage in Nigeria in pursuance of the provision of the National Health Act 2014. This development has opened a new vista in our quest toward the attainment of the UHC, which is presently
the core mandate of the NHIS.

“Accordingly, as Development Partners, it is obvious that the states will undoubtedly require your interventions. It is in this regard that we urge you to study the matrix of implementing health insurance in Nigeria.”

He, therefore, called on them to intervene the areas of information and communication technology (ICT); monitoring and evaluation; capacity building and human development; programme development and quality control as well as other related areas.

While addressing the gathering, the Minister of Health described the engagement as a “historic moment of an international alliance to galvanise capacity and resources in support of the pursuance in the attainment of universal health coverage in Nigeria, through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).”

He expressed the gratitude of the government and the people of Nigeria to the community of donor and implementing partners, who have continued to stand with the country in her quest for the development of her human capital and other critical resources for the advancement of the socio-economic status of the country.

The minister emphasised the enormous help that has come into the health sector by the donor partners through capacity building as well as funding support for various initiatives designed to achieve productive and meaningful life for our people.

He said: “I am of course aware that every donor agency represented here today, and perhaps even some not represented, has been supporting or driving one initiative or the other in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health or through our various agencies.

“While appreciating your various inputs, let me assure you of the commitment of the government of Nigeria to continue with efforts aimed at strengthening partnerships, as well as broadening stakeholder’s participation in various engagements, to improve the capacity of Nigerians to create socio-economic values and live in acceptable conditions of life.

“This is being progressively achieved, as you continue to work with our people and institutions, to deploy your global expertise to deliver effective international standards of solutions to our development challenges.”