National Health Insurance Scheme’s (NHIS) take-off law, also known as NHIS Decree 35 of 1999, was published in 1999. The NHIS Act, Cap N42, LFN, was created in 2004. Because it made purchasing health insurance optional rather than mandatory, the Law was seen by all parties involved in the health sector as having a poor legal basis. But to make up for the shortcomings of the law establishing the NHIS, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, Act 2022 into law on May 19, 2022, making the Insurance Scheme mandatory for everyone.
NHIS name was replaced with NHIA as the name of the scheme. The new law also established state/FCT health plans, a plan for MDAs, a fund for vulnerable groups, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, or BHCPF, as well as the implementation of the Act and the authority to impose sanctions. The NHIS Act, Cap. N42 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, has been declared invalid by the signing of the NHIA Act 2022.
Law requiring all citizens to have health insurance was signed into law.
Chioma Obinna discussed the performance of Nigeria’s health insurance business in 2022 and prospects for 2023 with Dr. Jimmy Arigbabuwo, the organization’s immediate past president. Arigbabuwo disclosed fresh hopes and grounds with NHIA. He is also a major member of the National Executive Council and Chairman of the Lagos State NMA Committee on Health Insurance. A cursory study of the new NHIA reveals fresh hopes, the setting of new precedents, and a better organized system.
When a law requiring all citizens to have health insurance was signed into law on May 19, 2022, the road to Universal Health Coverage, or UHC, officially began. The Groups Individuals Families Social Health Insurance Programme or GIFSHIP, is one example of a cutting-edge health insurance that has become more well-established. In the new plan, health insurance for the elderly and retirees received more focus; also, branded medications for NHIA were started as a pilot project in selected states of the federation since mid-2020. The fact that health insurance is now required in Nigeria for everyone is the biggest advantage.
Ten year old tariff’s to be reviewed amid complaints on flaws.
There have been some setbacks, though. And that essentially dealt with how the Act was put into effect. The National Health Insurance Summit took place as part of the implementation process. It was twice delayed, first in October 2022 and then in December 2022. Maybe because of a conflict between some programs and the president’s schedule of duties. The restructuring, remodelling, and modernization of the different Public Primary Health Care centers throughout the States and the nation appear to be the primary uses of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. Last but not least, they anticipate clear, practical instructions for all parties involved.
A crucial issue was the tariffs mandate. To analyse the 10-year-old areas of tariff complaints and shortcomings that harmed healthcare goods and services, Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) established a 30-Man Tariffs Review Committee in 2020. Once more meeting for seven months, the committee turned in its reports to the HCPAN leadership in November 2020. At the HCPAN AGM in Lagos in December 2020, this was alluded to. When speaking before a large audience and the media, the former HCPAN president announced that HMOs would have an additional year to evaluate the revised tariffs that were due for implementation.
It is hoped that the new team will better the health situations.
In order to improve the majority of Nigerians’ experience with health insurance, it is hoped that the new HCPAN team, which was established on December 13th, 2022, would be able to continue this route to a logical end with the help of my Ex-Officio capacity as the immediate past President. Everyone should be aware that the new law allows groups, individuals, families, and corporate organizations to use private health insurance as a supplement to social health insurance.
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Implementation of the NHIA on the agenda. – Some experts have set the agenda for the implementation of NHIA. – Express your point of view.
The new law also created the implementation of the Act and the power to apply sanctions, as well as state/FCT health plans, a plan for MDAs, a fund for disadvantaged groups, and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, or BHCPF.
The implementation of this health insurance should be done earnestly. It will help out healthy living. Especially for people that sign up to the insurance, they will be secured if any health challenges arises.
Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) created a 30-Man Tariffs Review Committee in 2020 to analyze the 10-year-old areas of tariff complaints and deficiencies that damaged healthcare goods and services.
An average Nigerian never consult a medical experts when having some common health but prefer to patronize over the counter medication for treatment which is dangerous. If the NHIA is fully empowered I would rather that the health insurance scheme should be made mandatory but affordable if possible subsidy for all Nigerians. In that way, every citizen of Nigerians health is guaranteed.
The fear of expensive medical bills have made some people in Nigeria not to consult medical experts but prefer over the counter drugs for treatment. The enforcement of NHIA on everyone will ensure that all have access to proper medications at affordable price which will invariably reduce mortality rate in the country.
Since the law allowed people to choose out of having to buy health insurance, rather than forcing them to do so, it was widely criticized as having a shaky legal foundation from the start.
In order to make up for the deficiencies of the law that established the NHIS, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 into law. This law makes participation in the insurance scheme obligatory for all citizens of the country.
A superficial examination of the new NHIA reveals that there are new hopes, that new precedents are being created, and that the system is more organized.
If the NHIA is fully empowered I would rather that the health insurance scheme should be made mandatory but affordable if possible subsidy for all Nigerians. In that way, every citizen of Nigerians health is guaranteed.
The health insurance will really help people and save life, some people who can afford to go hospital to treat theirself will be able to go to hospital to get treatment so the NHIA should be fully implement
More emphasis was placed on health insurance for retirees and the elderly in the new plan, and a trial program for branded NHIA drugs was launched in a few states.
Implementation of the NHIA on the agenda. The fact is that our government suppose to implement the agenda. All this issue is necessary to be done
The previous president of HCPAN made the announcement that health maintenance organizations (HMOs) would be given an additional year in which to examine the revised tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect.
It is imperative that this health insurance be put into effect with all due seriousness. It will assist in living a healthier lifestyle. Particularly for those individuals who sign up for the insurance, they will be protected in the event that they experience any difficulties with their health.
If the NHIA is given all of the authority that it needs, my preference is that the health insurance program be made mandatory while remaining inexpensive and, if at all feasible, subsidized for all Nigerians.
Some Nigerians avoid doctors and use over-the-counter medications due to high medical expenditures. NHIA’s enforcement will ensure that everyone has access to cheap pharmaceuticals, lowering the nation’s mortality rate.
A basic look at the new NHIA shows fresh hopes, new precedents, and a more organized system. Which is impressive
The health insurance scheme is very important and needs to be addressed for the benefits of those money are been deducted from their account in order to benefit from the scheme.
In all seriousness, this health insurance program needs to be put into action. Healthy lifestyles will benefit from this. Particularly, those who enroll in the insurance will have peace of mind no matter what kind of medical problems may develop.
Health insurance will actually benefit people and save lives since some of those who can afford to visit a hospital to treat themselves will be able to do so. Therefore, the NHIA should be completely implemented.