By Muhammad Amaan
The Director-General of the National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA), Dr Kelechi Ohiri, has emphasised that breaking the cycle of health poverty was crucial to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
He made the remark on Friday in Abuja during the 2024 UHC Day commemoration, organised by the Nigeria UHC Forum, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO).
The UHC Day, celebrated globally on December 12, focuses on the role of financial protection in accelerating progress toward UHC.
The theme for 2024 is “Health: It’s on Government.”
Dr Ohiri emphasised that tackling health poverty was crucial, as ill health not only affected the poor but also contributed to further poverty.
He pointed out that achieving UHC in Nigeria hinged on increasing insurance coverage, raising awareness about health insurance, building trust in the government, and promoting equity.
Ohiri shared that as of December 2023, NHIA had registered 16.7 million Nigerians under the health insurance scheme, a number which had now risen to 19.2 million.
He described this growth as the fastest seen in a limited time and expressed confidence that the target of 20 million by 2027 would be met or exceeded.
The Convener of the Nigeria UHC Forum, Mrs Moji Makanjuola, stressed the need for a holistic, sustainable, and adaptable approach to UHC in Nigeria.
She highlighted that the out-of-pocket expenses have impoverished many people, urging that eliminating poverty required addressing health sector challenges.
With only six years left until the 2030 UHC target, she expressed optimism, noting that the country’s population made UHC achievable.
Mrs Makanjuola also emphasised that UHC required involvement not just from the government, but also from the people, the private sector, and civil society organisations (CSOs).
Chairman of the Forum of State Health Insurance Authorities (SHIA), Dr Simon Onyemaechi pointed out that 80 per cent of preventable deaths in Nigeria were related to conditions that could be treated at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level.
He underlined the importance of PHCs in UHC and called for a concerted effort from all levels of government to ensure no Nigerian suffered from health poverty.
Mrs Anuoluwapo Rotimi, Executive Director of the Centre for Accountability and Inclusive Development (CAID), highlighted the economic impact of health challenges.
She noted that the rising cost of medications was pushing Nigerians further into poverty, particularly affecting women and children.
Mrs Rotimi emphasised that UHC was about ensuring no one was left behind.
“The Nigeria UHC Forum is a coalition of diverse CSOs working to shape Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, mobilise health policy advocates, and bring political attention to health issues in the country.
“It aims to put Nigeria on a clear path to achieving UHC.”
