NHIA: FG inaugurates the Government Council

NHIA: FG inaugurates the Government Council

Abuja (basic reporter) The Federal Government has officially inaugurated the Government Council of National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), declaring to the Agency a central pillar in the push of Nigeria to reduce the financial burden of health care on citizens and reach universal health coverage.

The inauguration ceremony, held in Abuja on Friday, was led by the coordinated minister of health and social well -being, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who underlined the strategic role of Nhia in improving access to economic and quality health care, in particular for vulnerable populations.

“This is a very important milestone,” said Professor Pate. “Nhia is not only a prestigious institution within the Federal Government structure; it is a strategic tool to achieve financial protection in health and expand the coverage to millions of Nigerians.”

The minister praised the presence of high -level political figures, including the service and former senators, in particular Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, who presides over the Council just inaugurated and played a significant role in the passage of the National Health Insurance Authority Act in 2022.

Pate has highlighted the progress made under the current Nhia leadership, including: registration of over four million Nigerians in health insurance in the last 18 months. Expansion of the vulnerable group fund. Free treatment for over 4,000 women subjected to emergency cesarean sections. Increased access to services such as the repair of the fistula.

“These results reflect a promising trajectory,” he said. “If we manage to expand the coverage to 50 million Nigerians in the coming years, he will remode the health system, reducing costs for families while strengthening health workers, increasing employment and stimulating local pharmaceutical production.”

“Quality health is not economic. The public funding of health care in Nigeria remains less than $ 20 per person every year. We have to face reality for what we can pay for, for whom and how to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind,” he said.

According to the coordination minister, the imminent summit on the financing of health, which will be convened by NHIA in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the interested parties, will focus on the expansion of internal funding, in the integration of the efforts of the state and private sector and guaranteeing the most intelligent purchase of health services in the context of Mandaria health insurance.

In his assignment to the Council, Professor Pate urged the members to bring their different skills to supervise and guide the NHIA. He described Senator Oloriegbe as a “co-architect of the reform of the health sector” since 2004 and praised the general manager of Nhia for demonstrating the global and internal competence in the guide reform.

“All of us from the Ministry, including myself, the permanent secretary and our directors are ready to support you in providing this critical mandate by the President,” said the coordinated minister.

Speaking of the commitment of the Ministry for supervision and support, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Wellness, Mrs. Daju Kachollom MNI, described the inauguration as an “long -awaited day”, expressing pride in the performance of the NHIA and soliciting the members of the Council to support the evidence of the Nhia law.

“We talked about universal health for years,” he said. “Now is the time to consolidate these efforts. You have the legal tools and institutional support necessary to obtain great results.”

Speaking on behalf of the statutory members of the Nhia government council, President Senator Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe has undertaken to serve diligently to contribute to the achievement of the renewed agenda of the hope of President Bola Ahmed in the health sector.

“Our role is to provide a strategic direction, governance and supervision of NHIA, guaranteeing its mission” to mobilize and pool of financial resources for the strategic purchase of health care at affordable and quality prices for all Nigerians “is not only achieved, but that Nigeria is on the path of achieving the universal health coverage in which no one is left behind”.

The inauguration of the NHIA Government Council reports a renewed commitment by the Federal Government to deepen the penetration of health insurance, reduce living expenses and build a sustainable health funding system for Nigeria. With strong legal support, institutional leadership and political support, NHIA should play a fundamental role in modeling a more inclusive and resilient national health system.