By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Federal Government over the weekend said low insurance penetration and inadequate infrastructure are some of the challenges that have made it difficult for many Nigerians to access affordable and quality healthcare services.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige stated this in his keynote address at the Pro-health 2nd Board and Management retreat with the theme: “Nigeria Health Insurance Ecosystem: The Place of Pro-health HMO Limited,”
The retreat took place at David and Daniel’s Resort, CSS Global Integrated Farms Limited, Gora, Nasarawa state.
The Minister, who was represented by the Board Chairman, of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Chief Emmanuel Nwosu, said the retreat was a unique opportunity for all of the stakeholders to deliberate on issues affecting the Nigerian health insurance sector, with particular focus on the role of Pro-health HMO.
According to him, “As we all know, the Nigeria health care sector has been facing numerous challenges over the years including inadequate funding, low insurance penetration, and inadequate infrastructure. These challenges have made it difficult for many Nigerians to access affordable and quality healthcare services.
“However, the emergence of Health Management Organisations like Prohealth has played a crucial role in bridging the gap. Prohealth HMO has been at the forefront of providing access to quality healthcare for Nigerians by partnering with healthcare providers to provide affordable healthcare services to its enrolees.
“This retreat presents an opportunity for us to deliberate on the challenges faced by the Nigeria health insurance sector in providing affordable healthcare services and how Prohealth HMO can continue to innovate and provide quality healthcare services to its enrolees.”
Ngige urged the participants to face all deliberations with an open mind and commitment to finding practical solutions to the challenges in the sector.
In her keynote address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NSITF, Barrister Maureen Allagoa, said health insurance in Nigeria cushions the potential negative impact of the persistent underfunding of the health sector.
The NSITF MD/CEO contended that health insurance provides financial risk protection for Nigerians by ensuring the availability of a pool of funds for the provision of their healthcare needs.
She said the history and growth of health insurance in the country cannot be complete without the mention of ProHealth HMO.
She urged the Prohealth HMO to serve as a bridge between Nigerians and healthcare providers by managing the provisions of standard healthcare services.
