HMO Begins Diaspora Health Insurance Programme In US, UK

Ultimate Health Management Organisation (HMO) has commenced the Diaspora Health Insurance Programme for Nigerians in the United States of America and the United Kingdom to enrol their parents and dependents in Nigeria and even themselves for adequate coverage whenever they come back home for any events and festivities.

This is in line with the responsibilities of accredited HMOs as the statutory drivers of enrolment of Nigerians in the programme designed towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage for the country.

In May 2022, the federal government enacted the National Health Insurance Authority 2022 to make enrolment on the health insurance programme mandatory for all Nigerians and legal residents to ensure the well-being of Nigerians and change the poor narration of our health indices for better.

Consequently, it is expected that all Nigerians, including those that are seen and known to be vulnerable are enrolled in the health insurance Program. The new law recognises 83 million Nigerians to be vulnerable and the need for the federal government to provide two percent of the consolidated revenue to provide coverage of basic health services for those vulnerable Nigerians who cannot afford to pay premiums as recommended by the Lancet Nigeria Commission.

In August 2023, the special adviser to the president on health, Dr Salma Anas-Ibrahim, said the renewed hope health agenda of President Bola Tinubu is committed to covering over 50 million Nigerians and most of the vulnerable, including the elderly, within the next four years.

Hence, the introduction of the Ultimate Health HMO diaspora health insurance programme allows Nigerians in Diaspora to acquire health insurance coverage for their loved ones back in Nigeria from their base in any part of the world.

The chief executive officer of Ultimate Health HMO, Otunba Lekan Ewenla, stated that, “The diaspora community emerged as crucial stakeholders in the driving of the health insurance programme towards the attainment of UHC as huge sums of funds are transferred back home regularly to support the medical needs of their parents and other dependents.”