Universal Health Coverage: Myth or Reality?

Posted on: Mon 04-09-2017

The cost of health care is ballooning. But that’s where universal health coverage is supposed to step in—paid for by a minimum health insurance.

More than a decade since health insurance formally started in Nigeria, the coverage is uncertain. Nearly nine out of every 10 Nigerians still pay out of their own pocket for health care.

That means they have no insurance cover of any sort, a survey by NOIPolls has found this August.

Only 9% have insurance. Another 7% get support from family and friends, and 2% neither pay nor get free healthcare.

“These findings clearly demonstrate the critical need for sensitization and awareness campaigns to mobilize the citizenry on the need and benefits of health insurance,” the researchers wrote in their report.

But up to 8 out of every 10 Nigerian in the survey said they would be willing to pay a small amount of money monthly or yearly to access health insurance cover when they are taken ill.

By: Judd-Leonard Okafor

Daily Trust News

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