Ignore media reports, ‘the real thing is corruption is fighting us’, says reinstated NHIS boss

Embattled newly reinstated Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf, has urged Nigerians to disregard media reports surrounding his controversial reinstatement, claiming that the real story was that pro-corruption forces were waging a war against him.

He said, “Don’t be distracted by what you are hearing on the media. The real thing, it is corruption fighting us and we will fight back to keep faith with our responsibilities to Nigerians”.

Also, Yusuf disclosed that over 90 per cent of Nigerians eligible for the health insurance scheme had not been covered.

He noted that a lot needed to be done if the country was to realise health insurance for all under the Universal Health Coverage.

Yusuf reportedly spoke Thursday in Sokoto at a public event.

This is the first public statement from the NHIS boss since his controversial reinstatement.

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President Muhammadu Buhari last Tuesday reinstated Yusuf exactly six months after he was suspended by the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, following allegations of gross misconduct.

Some NHIS workers last Thursday embarked on a protest as Yusuf resumed work at the headquarters of the agency in Abuja. According to the workers, reinstating Yusuf was contrary to fairness and equity. Some other workers, however, demonstrated in support of the NHIS boss.

But speaking Thursday, Yusuf said, “Don’t be distracted by what you are hearing on the media. The real thing, it is corruption fighting us and we will fight back to keep faith with our responsibilities to Nigerians.

“We are here to work for our people and the country, and anybody who thinks we are doing it for ourselves or our office that person is missing the point”.

The NHIS boss reiterated that he would not be discouraged in his bid to provide his best service to Nigerians.

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