The National Health Insurance Authourity (NHIA) has disbursed about N259,544 million in 2022 through the NHIA-Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) Gateway.
Mr Adelaja Abereoran, the Coordinator of the NHIA North Central ‘A’ Zonal Office, disclosed this on Friday in Ilorin at the official flag-off of Phase ll Enrolment of BHCPF and Kwara Care Programme.
Abereoran recalled that the authority had earlier disbursed over N251 million for the year 2019/2020 to the Kwara Government.
According to him, the funds are for the payment of capitation for Primary Care and Fee-For-Service, ICT Fevelopment, Administrative Charges and Reserve Fund.
He observed that the Kwara Health Insurance Authority is doing well compared to its peers in the health insurance ecosystem.
He stated that the phase ll enrollment opens a new window of succour from the ravages of ill-health and poverty to new possibilities for financial risk protection and empowerment because health is wealth.
The coordinator added that the NHIA would continue to partner with the state government, adding that the authority has been repositioned through three-point rebranding agenda.
“We have developed a 10-year Strategies Plan, introduced the Group, Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP) to cover more Nigerians, and will soon launch our digital platform, known as the ‘e-NHIA’,”
The zonal coordinator said.
He explained that the state office has been strengthened and the staff are already working closely with the Kwara State Health Insurance Agency (KHIA) in the spirit of Health Insurance Under One Roof (HIOUR).
“The recently signed NHIA Act, 2022, provides for mandatory health insurance and the establishment of the Vulnerable Group Fund.
“We shall be mobilising resources and contributions from those who can pay to provide subsidy for those who cannot afford to pay.
“The combined effects of GIFSHIP and the BHCPF, as well as the efforts of the State Health Insurance Agencies will ensure that all Nigerians, especially those who live in hard to reach rural communities and bear a significant hardship associated with out-of-pocket expenditure,”
He said.
Abereoran therefore urged the State Government to give more support to the KHIA to roll out its formal sector scheme, ensure the creation of a sustainable and robust pool of funds for effective cross subsidisation, which is one of the principles of Social Health Insurance.
He advised the state agency to also sustain its efforts to review its Strategic Plan and align it with the NHIA 10-year Strategic Plan to guide policy formulation, utilisation and implementation in the state.