Alh. Mustapha Muhammad, the Yobe State Coordinator National Health Insurance Authority has described the signing of the NHIA Act 2022 as timely and new development that would contribute towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.
He said this during the Stakeholders’ Forum organised in Damaturu to sensitive the enrollees, healthcare facilities and the HMOs on the new reforms, innovations and activities in NHIA.
Alh.Mansur Akilu, the Head of Finance and Administration, in his presentation on the new NHIA Act; stated that as a result of the signing of the Act into law, health insurance became mandatory to all Nigerians.
He also said while the president was signing the Act, he promised the coverage of 83milion vulnerables in the country to ensure they have free access to qualitative healthcare.
Dr.Auwal Ibrahim, the Head of SQA, in his presentation on the Benefit Package/Rights and Previleges of Enrollees, he drew the attention of healthcare providers to desist from the issue of out of stock.
He said providers must provide the drugs prescribed to the enrollees.
Alhaji Abubakar Othman, the Head of Programmes made his presentation on the E-NHIA.
He disclosed that all arrangements have been made for the full commencement of the new development.
He said the development would reduce over centralism in such a way that many things would be done by the enrollees online without coming to our Offices.
Salisu Hassan, Ph.D from Englightenment Unit made presentation on Group Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP).
He discribed the programme as one that would facilitate the enrollment of people that are not covered in the other programmes of the Authority.”
“The programme is designed to cover artisans, retirees, political office holders, small scale enterprises, associations and unions”.
He called on wealthy individuals to pay for those who can not afford to register for the GIFSHIP.
He commended the effort of NHIA Director for introducing the GIFSHIP Programme. Alh. Umar Yarima, who represented the Executive Secretary Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, called on all major stakeholders in the health insurance eco-system to ensure the attainment of the Universal Health Coverage.
Hajiya Haseyya Muhammed Paga represented Songhai HMO and urged providers to provide quality care to enrollees as all the stakeholders are present to serve them.
Finally, enrollees from various MDAs asked several questions. Among the questions asked was “how can the NHIA Act enhance more effective services to enrollees” by Alh. Labaran Babangida Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission,Yobe State.qà
