To improve the country’s health sector, the federal government unveiled the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) operational guidelines to enhance the new NHIA Act, signed into law in 2022.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, while launching the guidelines on Tuesday in Abuja, assured that the NHIA Act and operational guidelines would mark a turning point for faster progress in health insurance in the country.
He said, “The guidelines will provide direction for the country to ensure more Nigerians are covered and to expand the affordability of healthcare for the population, especially the most vulnerable.”
He called on states to ensure they enrolled their formal sector and provide the 25% counterpart funding.
Prof. Mohammed Sambo, the Director General of the NHIA, explained that the guideline clarifies stakeholders’ roles, responsibilities and obligations and supports the principles of equity, quality and sustainability.
Alexander Chimbaru, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Nigeria Deputy Country Representative, stated that the guidelines address the challenges in the then National Health Insurance Scheme.
