HEALTH INSURANCE REFORMS - Relief for Nigerians with introduction of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Problem: Many Nigerians could not access healthcare services because of a lack of medical insurance.

Reform Action: Introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme in 2005, following the passage of the NHIS Act in 1999.

Main Achievements: The Scheme has achieved coverage of 98% of federal government employees. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)/National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Programme for pregnant women and children has covered 2 million people and there has been an expansion of MDG projects from 12 states to all 36. There is a growing uptake by the private sector, and the Scheme has reduced the cost of governance, given the reduction in government-sponsored health services for public servants. It has made it possible for some citizens to get insurance for affordable health care services.

Key Challenges: (a) NHIS benefit package contain exclusions; (b) low coverage across the country due to low health seeking behaviours; (c) lack of special tax-funded health protection programmes for poor and vulnerable; (d) low uptake by state and local government employees; (e) limit of free health protection programmes for the poor and vulnerable and (f) weak stakeholders responsibility. 

Reference:  Public Service Reforms in Nigeria (1999-2014) - A Comprehensive Review

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