The National Health Insurance Authority Bill 2022 was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The National Health Insurance Scheme Act of 2004 is repealed by the new law, which will benefit 83 million Nigerians.
President Buhari claimed the new law contains provisions for the establishment of a trust fund "to assure the coverage of 83 million impoverished Nigerians who cannot afford to pay premiums as suggested by the Lancet Nigeria Commission" during the signing of the bill.
At the signing of the law, Garba Shehu cited his principal as saying that a fund would be established "to ensure coverage of 83 million impoverished Nigerians who cannot afford to pay premiums as suggested by the Lancet Nigeria Commission."
The President was quoted as saying,
“For the large number of vulnerable individuals who are not able to pay health insurance premiums, a Vulnerable Group Fund will be set up to include a component of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund due to the Authority, Health Insurance Levy, Special Intervention Fund, and any investment proceeds, donations, and gifts to the Authority.”
Buhari noted that the Authority will liaise with state government Health Insurance Schemes to accredit primary and secondary health facilities and enroll Nigerians into the scheme.
This is part of moves to ensure the delivery of quality health care. The new Act also enables the Authority and state governments to develop information management systems and digital records to enhance data collection, monitoring, and quality assurance.
Buhari also urged the Health Reform Committee to work with state governments, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the National Health Insurance Authority to ensure the implementation of the articles in the new Act.
Be first to comment