By Zainab BakareĀ
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to affordable, quality healthcare for vulnerable Nigerians through targeted financing programmes aimed at accelerating Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Authority says its strategy extends beyond increasing health insurance enrolment, focusing on building a more equitable healthcare system that protects poor and vulnerable citizens from the financial burden of medical expenses.
The NHIA identified the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) as a cornerstone of the Federal Government’s healthcare reform agenda, noting that the programme strengthens primary healthcare services and provides access to the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the Authority, beneficiaries include low-income households, pregnant women, children under five, older persons, internally displaced persons and other underserved populations.
The NHIA also highlighted additional financing initiatives under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), describing them as targeted interventions designed to improve access to essential healthcare for people most at risk of poor health outcomes and financial hardship.
Among the key interventions is financing for Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC), which provides lifesaving services for women experiencing pregnancy-related complications and critically ill newborns.
The Authority further noted that it supports the Fistula-Free Programme, which offers treatment and care for women living with obstetric fistula, while Global Fund-supported financial access programmes continue to provide healthcare coverage for people living with HIV, individuals affected by tuberculosis and other vulnerable groups requiring sustained medical care.
The NHIA reiterated that the programmes are part of ongoing efforts to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of income or social status, has access to essential healthcare services without suffering financial hardship.
