Director-general of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Kelechi Ohiri has applauded the enrollment of 73,587 people under various health insurance programmes of Kogi State.
The DG expressed excitement over the development during the official launch of enrollment of citizens of Kogi State into health insurance in Lokoja, describing the effort as historic.
In a statement made available by the acting director, Media and PR Unit of NHIA, Emmanuel Ononokpono, the DG further noted that the enrollment of the State’s civil servants under the formal sector programme and persons under the Basic Health Care Provision Programme (BHCPF), was a significant milestone in the overall effort to achieving Universal health Coverage (UHC), in the country.
He stressed that health insurance is a critical tool for reducing health poverty, while expressing the federal government’s determination to achieve UHC.
He said the objective can only be speedily attained through the synergy between the NHIA and state governments.
Aimed at boosting health care at primary care levels across the country, the health insurance chief disclosed that N26 billion has so far been disbursed under the NHIA gateway of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund initiative, giving the assurance that the authority will sustain technical support to state health insurance agencies within the context of collaborative working with institutions at sub national levels.
Speaking at the occasion, the governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo stated that the enrollment of citizens of the state underscored his administration’s commitment to improving the health indices of the people.
