By Asmau Ahmad
Some health experts have identified the need for inclusion of family planning and cancer services into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) benefit package.
According to them, the inclusion of these packages will help reduce morbidity and mortality arising from arising from lack of finances from patients and Nigerians who seek health care services.
The experts spoke at two-day retreat organised by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) in partnership with NHIS, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) in Abuja.
Reports indicated that due to the huge out-of-pocket spending for health services, which often leave average and poor Nigerians in penury, the government established the NHIS in 2005.
But in spite billions of Naira expended into the scheme since its inception, millions of Nigerians still lack access to quality healthcare. About 70 per cent of Nigerians pay out-of-pocket for healthcare while the few enrolled in the scheme complaining of inadequate service delivery.
The scheme only covers between five to 10 per cent of the Nigerian population, mainly civil servants and corporate workers in the private sector. Also, it does not cover key cancer treatment regimen which is very expensive.
President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Innocent Ujah noted that the inclusion of family planning into the NHIS would improve acceptance and continued use of family planning.
This is will help to prevent unintended pregnancies through correct, consistent and social behaviour change.
Prof. Ujah, who was represented by Benue State’s Commissioner for Health and Human Services,Dr Joseph Ngbea, said the advocacy for these medical services would further strengthen advocacy to build political will for implementation.
Prof. Oladapo Ladipo said that the first rational for family planning was in the interest of the mother and the child to reduce mortality.
He said the country’s maternal mortality ratio was high when compared with other developed countries.
He said that Nigeria had not made any substantial progress in terms of services to its citizens in the past decades.
Alo speaking at the retreat, the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Dr Mohammed Sambo, said the advocacy was in line with the reform agenda of the current leadership of the scheme.
Represented by General Manager of Standard and Quality Assurance at the NHIS, Mr Yakubu Agada said the scheme was expanding coverage of essential healthcare services for all Nigerians.
He noted that efforts were under way for the scheme to cover retirees, elderly, IDPs and corps members.
