The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has reiterated that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) cannot be achieved without ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all segments of the population.
This assertion was made by Dr. Salisu Hassan, who represented the NHIA State Coordinator, Mansur Akilu, during a one-day stakeholders’ forum organized by the Authority in Damaturu.
Dr. Hassan emphasized that achieving UHC requires that no individual is left uncovered under the health insurance system.
Delivering the message of the State Coordinator, he urged Desk Officers of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to implement the Presidential directive mandating all citizens to register for health insurance.
He explained that soon, possession of a Health Insurance Certificate would become a key requirement for securing government contracts, permits, and licenses.
Highlighting NHIA’s ongoing reforms, Dr. Hassan noted that the recently launched NHIA Self-Service Portal allows enrollees to check their registration status, update information, and change healthcare providers conveniently without visiting NHIA offices.
He added that the initiative aims to enhance flexibility, transparency, and service delivery across the system.
Several initiatives aimed at expanding coverage were discussed during the forum, including the NHIA Free Fistula Programme and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC).
Speaking on these, Dr. Dasuma of the Standards and Quality Assurance (SQA) Department disclosed that about 90 fistula surgeries were successfully conducted free of charge in Yobe State between September 2024 and August 2025 under the programme.
In his presentation, Dr. Auwal Ibrahim, Head of SQA, outlined the details of the NHIA Benefit Package, while Alh. Abubakar Othman, Head of Programmes, discussed the Group, Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP) as well as the rights and responsibilities of enrollees.
Mal. Abdullahi Manzo concluded the session by reminding Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Healthcare Providers (HCPs) to adhere strictly to the one-hour directive for issuing referral codes. He warned that any delay beyond one hour must be reported immediately to the NHIA.
Also speaking, Alh. Mohammed Bulama, who represented the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA), Dr. Babagana Tijjani, called for stronger collaboration and synergy among stakeholders to ensure effective healthcare delivery.
He emphasized that health insurance thrives on public trust and quality service delivery, noting that “health insurance is a game of numbers—when providers treat enrollees poorly, they lose their clients.”
The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Ambulance and Emergency Services, Alh. Abdullahi Dancuwa, used the forum to enlighten participants on the operations of the agency and called for greater cooperation with NHIA in emergency care management across accredited facilities.
Representing the Nigeria Police Ultra-Modern Hospital, SP Samuel Emmanuel, on behalf of Prof. Kashem Bashir, commended the NHIA for organizing the forum, describing it as timely and impactful for both healthcare providers and enrollees.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Umar Mohammed Umar, an enrollee from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), expressed appreciation to the NHIA for bringing together key stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for achieving a common goal—universal access to quality healthcare.
