Lagos — President Olusegun Obasanjo will on Sunday, launch the National Health Insurance Scheme, which when finally operational, is expected to fulfill the aspiration of many Nigerians by bringing affordable health care delivery to their doorsteps.

Deputy General Manager, Formal Sector, Mr Thomas Adeoye said the scheme's modus operandi involve the pooling of funds by government, employers, as well as beneficiaries into a common pool for the benefit of all.

"The vision for setting up the fund is to have a strong, dynamic, and responsive government agency that is totally committed to securing universal coverage and access to adequate and affordable healthcare, to impr-ove the health status of Nigerians, especially for those participating in various products of the scheme."

Adeoye said the organisation is starting with the more organised formal sector for ease, explaining that government had pledged to ease the burden on its employees by assisting in funding the scheme.

"We have started registration in all ministries with at least one registration officer in each ministry, depending on the size. There are currently over 200 desk officers to educate contributors, as well as facilitate consultation with providers," he said.

He said the organisation had screened and approved 3,500 health providers, based on such criteria, as capability of staff, facilities on ground and track record, adding that the process of registering health care providers was a continuous one.

For Dr Adolphus Mezue, one of the oldest staff of the organisation, it was a welcome relief that the scheme is taking off at last.

"There were several visits to defend the concept as well as committees to review it, because the process is capital intensive, requiring a lot of funds as past administration kept on putting it off. But thank God now, there is political goodwill and support from the highest quarters."

He therefore urged Nigerians to stop being skeptical and come forward to register.

"Prior to now, government had spent a lot on highly placed people, with the money not trickling down, but now, there is equity. What the rich gets, the poor also gets. There is equity across board", he said.

Mezue, who is the deputy general manager, Planning and Monitoring acknowledges the numerous challenges before the organisation, but added that it had done its homework and that it is equal to the task.

"We shall undertake surprise visits to monitor what is going on and in the process of capitalisation, chosen by operators, will reduce to the barest minimum the issue of fraud. For instance, contribution is fixed per contributor per month, so there is no room for arbitrary increase".