Nigeria’s Health Insurance Scheme still faces challenges after 17 years

Since seventeen years ago, Nigeria’s Health Insurance Scheme which came into force , still faces a number of challenges. 

Shortage of funds, misappropriation, inherent lapses in the NHIS Act have accumulated, painting a negative perception by the public of the scheme.

A source from TVC News, Joke Adisa, takes a look at the health insurance system, which was expected to take the burden of health finances, off those enrolled in the scheme.

Nigeria joined the league of countries with national health scheme in 1999 when former  President Olusegun Obasanjo signed the National Health Insurance Scheme into law.

The scheme was created to provide a subsidized and universal healthcare access to every citizen through monthly deductions from the salaries of workers in the public sector.

Seventeen years after, the percentage of the Nigerian population with healthcare coverage remains stuck at a paltry ten per cent.

Many stakeholders attribute this to the lacuna in the Act which restricts beneficiaries to federal workers.

Those enrolled in the scheme believe the NHIS is well conceived but lament the alleged corrupt tendencies of its managers.

Principal actors admit inherent lapses have crippled the good intent of the scheme and say it must be energised

The NHIS is one investment that can save its participants lots of money in the event of a sudden health problem, particularly cancer or any other communicable disease.

Now, opinions are divided among its participants as to its effectiveness,  but they all say government must take another look at the scheme to realise its laudable goals

The NHIS authorities also share the people’s views and say it is beginning a nationwide mobilisation for the scheme

The lacuna in the NHIS Act, financial crisis, disease outbreaks, political instability, poor accessibility and an uninformed public are some of the setbacks that have hindered the effectiveness of the scheme.

Key actors believe a review of the NHIS Act and sincerity of purpose in its execution from all sides will contribute to attaining its goals.