House of Reps orders immediate review of NHIS

The House of Representatives on Thursday ordered an immediate review of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

This came as the House mandated its Committees on Health Institution and Healthcare Services to carry out holistic review of the scheme.

It was believed that the review would “encourage more participation by Nigerians with a view to attaining the Universal Health Coverage for Nigerians”.

The House also requested the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to direct all Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) to pay, within three months, all outstanding debts owed healthcare providers across the country.

House of Reps also implored the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to ensure that private medical practitioners register their clinics with the NHIS as accredited health providers of medical services.

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The development came up following a motion by Valentine Ayika and six other lawmakers, titled: “Failure of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to Function Optimally.”

He contested that the NHIS was established by an Act of the National Assembly to ensure that every Nigerian has access to quality and affordable healthcare service through the provision of affordable health insurance.

“…The scheme has a presidential mandate to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2015 but has failed in that regard, as available information shows that it currently boasts a little over six million enrolees, despite regular budgetary allocations.

“Also, …50 per cent of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which represents one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the government available for the scheme, part of which was released in May 2019; yet, the scheme still fell short of its targeted objectives,” he said.

However, the committees were expected to report back within six weeks for further legislative action.

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