On Thursday, The Head, Media and Public Relations, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Mr Emmanuel Ononokpono, said in a statement that the NHIS plans to enrol not less than 20 million Nigerians for health insurance.
Mr Emmanuel stated that The Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Nasir Sambo says the scheme has planned to enrol 20 million annually for the next 10 years.
He said Sambo had announced plans during the enrolment of beneficiaries of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in Jigawa State.
Sambo said the program targets 20 million Nigerians annually for ten years. He said it was part of a joint effort to realize Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. Sambo said the 2014 National Health Act provides for the implementation of one per cent of the Income Fund (CFF) to fund primary care.
“ The programme will ensure that the vulnerable population has affordable access to minimum health care’’, said the Executive Director.
According to Vanguard News, Sambo stated, that the launch of beneficiaries registration under the BCHPF is a strong signal of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s commitment to the principles of the next level health agenda.
He said the implementation of the National Health Act, which was signed into law in 2014, started only under the supervision of the current government in 2019. Sambo said the scheme, which is one of the implementing agencies, has started and is currently supported to ensure the effective management of the Program.
Jigawa State Governor Haji Muhammad Abu Bakr said at the event that the start of the enrollment was an important moment in the state’s efforts to provide high-quality health care to its citizens.
Abubakar, who was represented by his deputy, Malam Umar Namadi, at the event, said the government is working hard to develop the condition of health in the state.
“ The second batch of trainees is waiting in line to benefit from the medical course’’.
Permanent Secretary of the State Department of Health, Drs. Salisu Muazu said 420 people will be enrolled at the occasion to mark the start of the program.
Muazu said the enrollment would take place in the state’s 279 political wards, emphasizing that the state is fully prepared to ensure public participation in the program.
The Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Contributory Health Care Management Agency,
Dr Nura Ibrahim said the state has begun attracting funding under the program since 2019. He said over N500 million had so far been received by the state.
Jigawa is the third state benefiting from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). Other beneficiary states include  Cross River and Bauchi.
