The Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Mohammed Sambo has said the Agency needs at least one third of Nigeria’s budget, set aside every year, conservatively put at three trillion naira to make 200 million Nigerians access to health insurance.
Prof. Sambo who revealed this in Abuja stated that with sufficient funds in the health insurance pool, the Scheme will expand its benefit package to include medical conditions such as cancer currently excluded, adding that the establishment of a Catastrophic Fund was being planned to specifically address terminal ailments.
Giving details of efforts at expanding coverage to all segments of the society, Sambo disclosed that all processes to enroll members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) into the Scheme have been finalized and coverage will be commenced with the release of funds by the government for that purpose, adding that plans to extend health insurance cover to the elderly and retirees have reached advanced stage.
The ES while acknowledging the challenges of drug dispensing within the health insurance system expressed the optimism that NHIS’ collaboration with drug manufacturers, in a plan that will effect direct supplies to hospitals, will ensure affordability and availability.
