By Asmau Ahmad
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has warned healthcare service providers, Health Maintenance Organisations (HMO’s) against corrupt practices.
Nasarawa State Co-ordinator of the scheme, Mrs. Monica Saror, who gave the warning in an interview with the newsmen in Keffi, Nassarawa state, urged health providers to refrain from tampering with the right of enrollees.
The coordinator said that it was the responsibility of the service or pharmaceutical providers to make all prescribed drugs available to the beneficiaries.
Mrs. Saror said that the service provider could even source drugs from other pharmaceutical providers to boost the health needs of the enrollees.
According to the coordinator, the scheme has zero tolerance for corruption.
She said: “The health care service providers and HMO’s should carry out their operations in line with the laid down rules and regulation of NHIS. Recently, we organised stakeholders’ forum of this scheme in Keffi in order to educate the enrollees, HMO’s and health care service providers on their rights.
“It is in view of this, I will like to use this medium to advise health care service providers, and HMO’s against corrupt acts. “If any service provider or HMO’s is found engaging in corrupt acts, sharp practices or fast business, the scheme will apply appropriate measures to serve as deterrent to others.”
According to her, the beneficiaries of this programme are the contributors, spouse and four biological children under 18 years of age.
She urged enrollees to always channel their complaints to the NHIS state office in Lafia, adding that their complaints would be tackled according to the laid- down rules and regulations.
