Abuja, May 5, 2023: Recognising that the successful implementation of state health insurance is critical to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Nigeria Health Watch will be convening key stakeholders for a health financing policy dialogue titled: Accelerating the Implementation of the NHIA Act to Improve Health Insurance Coverage in Nigeria.
In May 2022, the National Health Insurance Scheme legislation was replaced by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act which now made health insurance mandatory for all citizens. In addition, it strengthened the mandate of the NHIA to improve and leverage private sector participation in the provision of healthcare services. However, this requires a coordinated effort between the government, private sector, and civil society organisations, with the NHIA providing leadership, regulation, and support for healthcare providers and consumers.
The 2023 Health Financing policy dialogue themed "Accelerating the Implementation of the NHIA Act to Improve Health Insurance Coverage in Nigeria" aims to bring together key stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the operationalisation of the NHIA Act and to develop strategies to accelerate its implementation.
The goal of the policy is to facilitate discussions between the NHIA and key stakeholders regarding the operationalisation of the NHIA Act and to improve understanding, gather insights and improve communication among key stakeholders, particularly the general public to increase their awareness of the need to enrol of state health insurance schemes.
Participants will discuss the roles of different parties in implementing the NHIA Act, explore strategies for expanding health insurance coverage to the "missing middle" in Nigeria and explore innovative health financing mechanisms for the Vulnerable Group Fund (VGF).
Speaking ahead of the event, the Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, said, "The operationalisation of the NHIA in Nigeria is a vital step towards ensuring greater access to quality health services for all citizens, especially the most vulnerable populations."
It is hoped that outcomes from the policy dialogue will include improved understanding of the NHIA Act to enable effective implementation and improved health outcomes for Nigerians, more effective strategies to improve access to healthcare services for all Nigerians and identify sustainable health financing mechanisms to ensure that more citizens especially vulnerable groups have access to quality healthcare services.
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The policy dialogue is scheduled to take place on the 11th of May 2023.
Participants unable to attend the event in person are encouraged to join online by registering on Zoom here: https://t.co/TKmaZzbA57
About Nigeria Health Watch
Nigeria Health Watch is a not-for-profit health communication and advocacy organisation that seeks to advocate for the health of Nigerians, engage and support the government and other partners in formulating and implementing positive and effective health policies, and hold duty-bearers accountable for delivering affordable and quality healthcare to Nigerians. The unique capacity of Nigeria Health Watch lies in its communications expertise which enables the organisation to provide solutions for evidence-based communications and advocacy in the health sector.
