Healthcare experts are calling on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to make health insurance compulsory for all Nigerians, warning that the country’s current system is heavily tilted toward treatment rather than prevention.
The appeal was made during a webinar organised by SYNLAB Nigeria, where stakeholders gathered to discuss innovative ways to strengthen healthcare financing in Nigeria.
Prevention vs Treatment: Experts Raise Concerns
A healthcare consultant and Managing Partner at Insignia Health, Dr. Olumuyiwa Olusanya, criticized Nigeria’s reactive healthcare model, noting that the system largely funds illness after it occurs instead of preventing it.
According to him, this approach leads to higher costs and poorer health outcomes.
“We are financing the end of the story and ignoring the beginning,” he warned.
He stressed the need to integrate preventive screenings and early diagnostics into standard health insurance packages.
Push for Mandatory Health Insurance in Nigeria
Dr. Olusanya strongly urged the National Health Insurance Authority to enforce mandatory health insurance coverage, ensuring that every Nigerian is enrolled in a structured health financing system.
He also recommended that all insurance packages must include:
- Preventive screenings
- Routine diagnostics
- Early intervention services
The goal is to shift Nigeria from a treatment-heavy system to a prevention-first model.
Low Insurance Coverage Remains a Major Challenge
Health financing experts at the event revealed a worrying statistic:
- Less than 10% of Nigerians currently have health insurance
Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, most citizens still rely on out-of-pocket payments for healthcare services—placing heavy financial pressure on households.
Experts warned that this approach is unsustainable and deepens inequality in access to quality healthcare.
Nigeria’s Health Financing System Under Pressure
Speaking at the session themed “Enabling Healthcare Financing for Complete Patient Care,” health financing expert and WHO official Adeniyi Adeniran described Nigeria’s health financing structure as weak across key areas:
- Revenue generation
- Risk pooling
- Strategic healthcare purchasing
He noted that these gaps continue to limit the effectiveness of the country’s healthcare system.
Why Experts Want Reform Now
Stakeholders emphasized that making health insurance mandatory would:
- Reduce out-of-pocket medical spending
- Improve access to early diagnosis
- Strengthen national health security
- Reduce long-term healthcare costs
They also urged Nigerians to embrace health insurance as a necessity, not an option.
Final Thoughts
With rising healthcare costs and low insurance penetration, experts believe Nigeria is at a critical turning point.
Strengthening the mandate of the National Health Insurance Authority and embedding preventive care into insurance systems could be the key to building a more resilient and equitable healthcare system.