The federal government has unveiled operational guidelines for the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), aligning with the new NHIA Act signed into law in 2022.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, launched these guidelines in Abuja on Tuesday, emphasizing their significance in advancing healthcare in the country.
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate stated that the NHIA Act and its operational guidelines represent a turning point for the acceleration of health insurance in Nigeria.
He highlighted that these guidelines would provide the necessary direction to extend healthcare coverage to more Nigerians and enhance the affordability of healthcare services, especially for the most vulnerable populations.
In his address, he urged states to actively participate by enrolling their formal sector workers and contributing the required 25% counterpart funding.
Prof. Mohammed Sambo, the Director General of the NHIA, emphasized that the operational guidelines clarify the roles, responsibilities, and obligations of stakeholders in the healthcare sector.
These guidelines also uphold the principles of equity, quality, and sustainability in healthcare delivery.
Alexander Chimbaru, the Deputy Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Nigeria, commended the guidelines for addressing the challenges previously faced by the National Health Insurance Scheme.
These guidelines are expected to play a crucial role in improving healthcare accessibility and quality in the country.