Bukola Afeni
Editor
The Federal Government has expressed its commitment towards investing in the health of older persons in recognition of the contributions they make to the family, communities and the nation at large.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, stated this while inaugurating a ministerial committee that will develop a framework for the provision of health insurance for retirees and the elderly in Nigeria.
Ehanire disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has resolved to promoting the wellbeing of ageing citizens by providing health insurance. The President believes that elders who have served the country should be treated with respect and dignity. “Older persons with intergeneration links are a force for socio-economic growth, with institutional memory and experience to shepherd youths, and advise them on growth opportunities. Health and wellbeing were crucial to older persons autonomy and critical to maintaining inclusion and participation in community affairs.”In the same vein, the Minister added that the committee will assess the current situation of health insurance coverage and access to healthcare for retirees and senior citizens (over 60 years) in Nigeria. “It is meant to develop a National Framework for effective Health Insurance Coverage for retirees and senior citizens and undertake any other activity that will facilitate Health Insurance Coverage.”
Mr Linus Awute, a seasoned officer, and a former Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health, is the chairman of the Committee.
Prof. Mohammed Sambo, the Executive Secretary of NHIS, also reiterated the need to focus on the elderly, who has served the country diligently. “The committee is to work out modalities for the insurance package, because the retirees are going to be in different forms. We have retirees at the federal, state and the local government level, as well as in the private sector.”“The elderly are categorised into those who can pay premium, and continue to enjoy services and those who have no capacity to pay for the services. All these factors have to be considered while designing a package for the retirees and the elderly.”
