Determined to justify the nation’s confidence as the main hub for the realisation of universal health coverage, as well as taking forward the objective of unlocking the potentials of the nation’s human capital, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) took its awareness and demand generation campaign to Benue and Sokoto states recently.
Speaking at the Government House, Makurdi, during an advocacy visit to Governor Samuel Ortom, the Acting Executive Secretary of NHIS, Mr. Femi Akingbade described the latest initiative in the Scheme’s targeted strategies, the State Supported Social Health Insurance Programme (SSHIP), as a pragmatic move to decentralise health insurance in the country.
According to him, “the status of health as an item on the Concurrent Legislative List has continued to be a major hindrance to rapid penetration of health insurance in the country”, as states are not bound to legislations and policies on health matters by the federal government.”
Akingbade observed that states have been known to be hesitant with regards to releasing their funds to a Federal Government central pool, adding that the need to allay concerns in this context propelled NHIS to come up with a programme design that would give states autonomy to create their health insurance agencies.
The programme provides that the state will have a single pool of funds that would be equitable and domiciled in the state, while NHIS will effect counterpart funding to match such funds.
The NHIS boss said the programme, among other advantages, has a high potential of helping states identify the peculiar healthcare needs of their people, thereby facilitating the provision of particular care for target groups.
He noted however, that for health insurance to thrive under this programme, Primary Healthcare Centres must be well distributed across the states, as most people in need of healthcare do not go beyond the primary level.
Akingbade used the occasion to assure willing states that NHIS has developed a draft legal frame work that governors can present to the House of Assembly of their states for passage into law, with due consideration for the social, economic and cultural ecosystems of each state.
In his response, the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom expressed gratitude for the great offer presented to the state by the Scheme.
According to him, his administration recognizes that only a healthy citizenry can create the level of wealth that will make the state the economic and social haven that is the desire of all.
This, he said, is one of the principles that guides his administration.
He therefore declared the immediate subscription of Benue state to the concept and processes of the State Supported Social Health Insurance Programme of NHIS.
The governor also approved the provision of a plot of land in a suitable place in Makurdi, as requested by NHIS, for the construction of a state office of the Scheme, as part of ongoing activities to bring NHIS closer to the people in all states of the country.
While in Sokoto state on a similar visit, Mr. Akingbade applauded the dynamism and sterling leadership of his host, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, during his tour of duty as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Akingbade assured the governor that health insurance was one of the quick wins available to an administration that was focused on immediate and tangible impacts on the people.
In view of limited resources, the NHIS scribe counselled against a wholesome coverage of the state at once, but rather recommended targeted coverage, whereby government can provide for structured uptake of the people, with special attention to the poor and the vulnerable in the state.
Responding, Governor Aminu Tambuwal commended NHIS management for the boldness to decentralise its influence, and coming up with such a laudable programme for states.
He therefore promised to consult widely around the Islamic and intellectual circuits of the state about the position of Islam with regards to insurance, while the state will be willing to run with zeal upon conclusion of the consultations.
He also promised to accord speedy attention to the request of NHIS for the construction of a state office in Sokoto
By Daily Times
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