By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, Professor Mohammed Sambo has disclosed that the National Health Insurance Act would give 83 million vulnerable Nigerians Universal Health Coverage.
Professor Sambo who was represented by the Public Affairs Manager, Emmanuel Ononokpono disclosed this at the 6th Annual Conference of the Health Journalists in Akwanga , Nasarawa State.
He said, “You can’t have universal health coverage without making it compulsory. The Act gives hope to 83 million vulnerable Nigerians that cannot afford to pay for healthcare.”
He further disclosed that the new NHIA under his Leadership is eagerly awaiting government allocation of at least an oil Bloc to 83 million vulnerable to fund health insurance in the country.
“If the government could give oil Blocs to individuals, why can’t it give to 83 million vulnerable Nigerians?
A retired General told us some time ago how he sold his oil block for $500 million.”
Sambo further narrated how politicking and wranglings almost consumed the agency under his predecessors, resulting in the public losing confidence in the organization.
Meanwhile, in the past, NHIS offices, had just one nurse which means that the man who read History or Mass Communication would be the one to access the hospital to tell whether this is a stethoscope or not and that worsened the situation at that time.
“Now, we don’t have to send people from the head office to go to the states to conduct quality assurance again; the state offices can handle it.”
Professor Sambo disclosed that the Agency has employed no fewer than 190 health professionals to boost operations since his appointment in 2019.
Ononokpono said: “Professor Sambo had to find a way and engage in a very transparent manner 190 medical persons, five in each state across Nigeria, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and (medical) laboratory scientists.
He also pointed out that the former NHIS could not build offices in any part of the country, making it pay rent for its 38 offices nationwide, but now NHlA offices would be sited across the country.
