The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the states of the federation have commenced the establishment of processes and structures to maximise the benefits of a $669 million Global Fund support for the country’s health insurance system.
The financing was announced by the Fund in February in line with its 2023-2028 strategy which aims to support health financing systems to improve sustainability, and reduce financial barriers to access and strengthen purchasing efficiency.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day inception meeting attended by the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCM), representatives of State Health Insurance Agencies (SHIAs) as well as public and private sector experts, NHIA Director General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, highlighted the execution priorities to ensure that set targets are achieved.
He said the programme will boost efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, two diseases that remain significant challenges despite recent progress in combatting them.
Ohiri, particularly identified impact, efficiency and sustainability as the core justifications and benefits for the Global Fund direct support for the nation’s health system.
He said, “The first is the issue of impact – impact in the sense that when you intervene to support and treat someone, you’re treating the entire person. So, by expanding the health care benefits that people receive, it means that we are recognising them as a whole and an individual. So, that means better health outcomes overall.
“Rather than have multiple vertical programmes for every single thing, we are looking at a systems approach to addressing some of these issues and the care that is provided to them. So, it is definitely a more efficient way to address the needs of these populations.
“Third is sustainability. By integrating them into the health system that way, we have a more efficient, and a more impactful and sustainable health system.”
He explained that as of part of the process, pilot programmes have been set up in five states to provide selected populations of vulnerable people living with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis access to health insurance through premium payments.
The programmes will monitor the selected populations in the selected states according to defined metrics and the learnings from evaluation will provide guidelines for scale-up across the country.
According to a proposal which has been approved by the CCM and the Global Fund, the project will be implemented by NHIA through state health insurance agencies in Kwara, Gombe, Ebonyi and Anambra.
In Lagos, however, the state’s health ministry will be responsible for implementation.
With the timeline of the project slated for 2024 – 2026, the five pilot states are expected to produce their work plans within a week for review and subsequent implementation.
James Emejo
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