By Asma’u Ahmad
A member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dennis Amadi, has called for close monitoring of the activities of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to guarantee effective healthcare services in the country.
Mr. Amadi told newsmen in Abuja that the call was imperative in view of series of complaints by some Nigerians over poor healthcare services being rendered under the NHIS.
Mr. Dennis Amadi
He said that the scheme had not been `effective’ in responding to the healthcare needs of some of its beneficiaries.
“If I reflect on what has been going on, you discover that most employees are compliant in their contributions to the scheme. But when junior staff of organisations fall ill with issues that are beyond differential diagnosis, they are not allowed to undertake further treatment.
“For example, if they have physical disabilities caused by accident or other serious health challenges, this level of staff have limited access to medical treatment. “If there is a health insurance coverage for an employee, he or she should have full access to the scheme,’’ Amadi added.
The lawmaker stressed the need for quarterly or bi-annual checks on the activities of both NHIS and the Health Management Offices (HMOs) to ensure strict compliance with the law establishing the scheme.
