By Iyemah David
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has reaffirmed government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, underscoring the importance of equity, innovation and reforms to transform the healthcare system.
The Director-General of NHIA, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, stated this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
He explained that achieving UHC is both a necessity and an obligation.
“We must prioritise the poor and vulnerable, ensuring that access to quality healthcare is not limited by socio-economic status.”
Highlighting the challenges ahead, he listed geographical disparities, quality of care and out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure as major barriers.
He added that “the burden of healthcare cost is unsustainable. We need a system that prioritises prevention and promotion alongside curative care.”
The NHIA, he said, is scaling up efforts to expand healthcare access through outreach programmes, wider insurance coverage and innovative measures aimed at enhancing efficiency and transparency.
Ohiri said “at the last count, more than 600,000 individuals participated in a healthcare access study. This number is expected to grow significantly as we continue to expand coverage. We must act now to ensure no one is left behind.”
The NHIA boss emphasised that collaboration across federal, state and international levels was critical to achieving equity and sustainability.
“We have a plan, and it must unite all stakeholders to create a healthcare system that works for everyone,” he stated.
The director-general also highlighted NHIA’s target to extend insurance coverage to all tertiary hospitals and subnational facilities by the end of the year, a goal designed to bolster healthcare accessibility.
“Universal Health Coverage is not just an aspiration; it is a lifeline for every Nigerian. Regardless of socio-economic status, we must ensure everyone has access to quality healthcare,” he said.
Dr Ohiri added that with focus on equity and innovation, NHIA is laying the foundation for a healthcare system that prioritises the needs of Nigeria’s most underserved populations.
