The House of Representatives has taken steps towards enforcing compliance with the National Health Insurance Scheme in private companies.
It therefore, urged the National Health Insurance Authority to commence collation of data for defaulting private companies and sanction any erring one accordingly.
This is sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Felix Uche Nwaeke (PDP, Rivers) at plenary yesterday.
Moving the motion, the lawmaker
noted that the National Health Insurance Act, 2022 makes Health Insurance mandatory for all Nigerian employees in private companies with more than five employees.
He also noted that the National Health Insurance Authority Act, grants accreditation and regulates Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs), ensuring compliance, operational guidelines, standards to enable Nigerian employees both in public and private sectors have access and enrolled in suitable healthcare plan.
Nwaeke further noted that while the private companies and employers are mandated by the Nation Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to contribute 10%, the employee is mandated to contribute another 5% totalling 15% of the basic salary.
The lawmaker raised the alarm
that most private companies totally refuse to enrol their staff nor contribute to the scheme
He expressed worry that the refusal of private companies to enrol staff into any healthcare plan, leaves the employees to their fate during health challenges with no form of assistance, leaving the scheme with little or no benefits for the affected employees.
Adopting the motion, the House
mandated its committee on healthcare services to ensure compliance and report within four weeks for further legislative action.
