NHIS: Rectify Anomalies Hindering Functions of Scheme, Medical Directors Tell FG

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Guild of Medical Directors (GMD) has called on the federal government to decisively and speedily intervene to rectify all anomalies hindering the smooth functions of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The call came as a result of the suspension of the Scheme’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf, by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole as a result of various allegations and petitions leveled against the ES.

The guild in a statement signed by its president, Prof. Femi Dokun-Babalola, said the current situation has affected the smooth running of the scheme and has led to negative consequences for enrollees.

The worried GMD while citing examples with countries like Ghana and Kenya which have recorded up to 69 per cent of citizens, Nigeria has recorded only about two per cent, reiterating that the coverage is abysmally low and has advocated for a strong introduction of mandatory enrollment by all eligible families in the country.

He said: “Despite the challenges engendered by this face off, ‎hospitals affiliated with the guild continue to render uninterrupted service to enrollees, even where payments have been unduly withheld we therefore call on government to decisively intervene to rectify all anomalies.

“It will be noted that other African countries such as Ghana and Kenya have embraced a similar scheme and have enrolled up to 69 per cent of‎ their populations while here in Nigeria, we have enrolled less than two per cent of our population.

“It should be noted that the GMD has no objection to the current structure of the scheme involving NHIS, HMOs and service providers. This is to ensure the satisfactory role of each stakeholder. However, there is a need to fine-tune the relationship between these organisations in such a way that high quality service is delivered to the enrollees.

“There is a need to accredit more private institutions in anticipation of the increased load of enrollees. At the moment, GMD hospitals account for about 60 per cent of all healthcare in the country and it is unfortunate that the GMD is not even in the national or state health council. This should be looked into by the appropriate authorities,” he said.