Fed Govt eyes 30% health insurance coverage by 2015

Chuks Udo Okonta

The Federal Government had embarked on a journey towards achieving 30 per cent health insurance coverage by 2015, Inspen, has learnt

The Minister of Health Onyebuchi Chukwu, disclosed this at a national health summit, in Asaba, adding that some of the measures to be adopted included the provisions contained in the National Health Bill, which is before the National Assembly.

He said: "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. The performance of the federal government stipulates that by 2015 at least 30 per cent of Nigerian population will be covered by health insurance."

Chukwu said that his proposal was to ensure that health insurance was placed under the exclusive list.

According to him, 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.

He called for the need to make healthcare services affordable in the country and that it was necessary if the country is to meet its health goals and objectives.

He noted that the country must pursue the idea of universal health coverage since the major pillar of universal health coverage is compulsory and universal health insurance coverage will guarantee that health is affordable to potential consumers.