By Asmau Ahmad
The Nigeria’s Federal Government said plans have been concluded to commence the Universal Health Coverage which would provide affordable and accessible health care to 83 million vulnerable Nigerians.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this when the delegation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) led by its Country Representative, Dr Walter Mulombo Kazadi alongside the Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Professor Mohammed Nasir Sambo, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
The SGF said the signing into law of the National Health Insurance Authority Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari signalled a new lease of life to the health sector, which would make universal health coverage accessible to the vulnerable in every nook and cranny of the country.
These were contained in a statement by the Director of Information, Office of the SGF, Willie Bassey on Wednesday.
The statement partly read, “In May of this year, we had the President signed the bill, now made it to an act to create first, the agency that is going to administer the universal health insurance coverage to cater for the 83 million vulnerable you mentioned.
And also, to superintend over the general administration of the insurance coverage across the length and breadth of this country. One of the multiplier effects of treating sicknesses is the impoverishment of the families affected because of the out-of-pocket expenses being expended in the course of treatment.”
He added that the signing into law of the NHIA bill would go a long way to reducing poverty and improving the economic lives of Nigerians.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Authority, Prof. Mohammed Nasir Sambo appreciated the President for the bold step he has taken to sign into law the National Health Insurance Act.
He said that the singular feat achieved by the President would place Nigeria on a trajectory of attaining universal health coverage for all Nigerians in line with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
WHO Country Representative, Dr Kazadi, said the law would make healthcare services accessible to the vulnerable in the society and by extension, improve the health and economic status of Nigerians.
