Lagos — The federal government has embarked on a journey towards achieving 30 per cent health insurance coverage by 2015.

The Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, disclosed this at a national health summit, in Asaba.

He said some of the measures to be adopted include the provisions contained in the National Health Bill which is before the National Assembly.

He harped on "the current attempt to establish a National Health Emergency Fund, the repeal and re-enactment of the National Health Insurance Act to make it compulsory for all employers of labour to buy health insurance for all employees and the performance of the federal government stipulating that by 2015 at least 30 per cent of Nigeria's population will be covered by health insurance."

Chukwu said that his proposal was to ensure that health insurance was placed under the exclusive list, adding that this will be possible for the National Assembly to legislate that there should be compulsory and universal health insurance coverage for all persons living in Nigeria.

He stressed the need to strengthen the functions of the National Council on Health through appropriate legislation since health is in the concurrent list.

Chukwu called for a definite constitutional provision in order to strengthen the national council on health, and effort to make healthcare services affordable in the country, adding that this was necessary if the country is to meet its health goals and objectives.

With Agency Report