By: Our Reporter, Calabàr
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health insurance sector have called for mandatory health insurance coverage for all residents as part of efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and reduce the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare spending across the country.
The call formed part of communiqué issued at the end of the maiden National Summit of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIAs), held recently, at the International Culture and Event Centre, Akure, Ondo State
.
The summit was organised by the Forum of CEOs of SSHIAs under the theme, “Economic Realities and the Universal Health Coverage Dream: Mobilising States for a Scalable Health Insurance Future.”
The gathering brought together government officials, regulatory agencies, financial institutions, development partners, policymakers and health sector stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for reducing catastrophic healthcare expenditure, strengthening collaboration and identifying sustainable health financing models.
Declaring the summit open, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, urged stakeholders to intensify efforts toward achieving universal access to quality healthcare, while the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olabanji Awolowo Ajaka, welcomed delegates to the event. Goodwill messages were also delivered by key stakeholders, including the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim.
In his keynote address, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi reviewed the evolution of health insurance in Nigeria and highlighted challenges facing the sector, including high healthcare costs, poverty, weak financing mechanisms, inadequate political will, low insurance coverage among informal sector workers and disparities in implementation across states.
Participants also identified trust deficits, weak ICT infrastructure, governance concerns, difficulties in enrolling informal sector populations, the lingering impact of COVID-19 and concerns over service quality, accountability and sustainability as key obstacles to achieving universal health coverage.
Technical sessions featured presentations by leading health insurance experts, including Dr. Vetty Agala on the evolution of State Social Health Insurance Schemes and sustainable financing pathways, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri on accelerating Universal Health Coverage through state-led initiatives, and Dr. Divine Igwe on best practices and innovations across state health insurance agencies.
Other presentations focused on strengthening health insurance implementation and service delivery. Dr. Adeniyi Ogini spoke on enforcing mandatory health insurance at the sub-national level, Chief Mrs. Moji Makanjuola highlighted the importance of community ownership and accountability in improving primary healthcare quality, while Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta shared the success story of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission and its innovative health insurance model.
At the end of deliberations, participants agreed that state governments should strengthen their political commitment to UHC by ensuring mandatory health insurance coverage for all residents and establishing clear legal frameworks for the implementation of health insurance laws.
The summit further recommended harmonisation between federal and state health insurance schemes, stronger regulatory oversight and a mixed financing model that combines government budgetary allocations, mandatory insurance contributions and targeted subsidies for vulnerable populations.
Stakeholders also urged states to ensure consistent release of counterpart and equity funds while exploring innovative financing options such as earmarked levies and Public-Private Partnerships to guarantee long-term financial sustainability.
The communiqué emphasised the need to prioritise informal sector workers, rural dwellers, women, children and persons with disabilities in coverage expansion efforts, while calling for increased investments in primary healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, essential medicines and digital health information systems.
Participants commended the organisers for providing a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening state health insurance systems nationwide.
Speaking after the summit, the Director-General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Godwin Iyala, described the gathering as a valuable opportunity for the Cross River delegation to learn new strategies for expanding health insurance coverage and improving service delivery.
He said the summit also enabled participants from the state to engage and network with health insurance stakeholders from across the country with a view to strengthening the scheme in Cross River State.
Dr. Iyala thanked the Cross River State Government and partners for their continued support in creating an enabling environment for health insurance to thrive, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage for all residents of the state.
He noted that the Cross River delegation comprised members of the Board and Management of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, agency staff, as well as representatives of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
