The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is on a mission to revolutionize healthcare in Nigeria. With a strong focus on quality, accessibility, and inclusivity, the agency is working tirelessly to improve lives and deliver on the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
At a recent media briefing in Lagos, NHIA’s Director-General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri (represented by Mrs. Aisha Abubarka Haruna, Acting Director of the Lagos Regional Office), reassured Nigerians of the agency’s commitment to setting higher standards in healthcare delivery nationwide.
Empowering Women and Saving Lives
In less than a year, NHIA’s landmark initiatives like the Fistula-Free Programme and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Maternal Childcare (CeMOC) have made a huge impact:
- Over 7,500 women have been empowered through these programmes.
- 2,690 women have undergone life-changing obstetric fistula repairs.
- Another 5,289 women received emergency obstetric care at over 200 CeMOC facilities across Nigeria.
Launched in September 2024, CeMOC has quickly become a beacon of hope for vulnerable women and children. It provides free, life-saving care for pregnant women facing complications and reduces out-of-pocket expenses for struggling families.
“We started in Kano, and the results have been remarkable – a 50% drop in maternal deaths in hospitals implementing CeMOC. Now we’re scaling this success nationwide,” said Dr. Ohiri.
Smarter Policies, Better Care
NHIA isn’t stopping at programmes alone. It has introduced bold reforms to make healthcare more efficient and responsive:
- Tariff adjustments to ensure fairer service pricing.
- A “One-Hour Rule” for HMOs and providers to approve care requests quickly, cutting delays for patients.
- Stricter oversight of healthcare providers and HMOs, with sanctions for non-compliance.
- A partnership with global pharmaceutical giant Roche, making cancer treatments more affordable for enrollees.
Health Coverage That’s Growing Fast
NHIA’s efforts to expand health insurance are paying off:
- As of June 2025, over 20 million Nigerians are now enrolled in the national health insurance scheme – a big jump from 16.8 million in 2023.
- The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) is now supporting 2.67 million people, with 800,000 new enrollees added between January and June 2025.
For the first time ever, health insurance is also covering people living with HIV (PLHIV) and tuberculosis (TB) patients in pilot programmes across four states.
CeMOC: Breaking Barriers in Maternal and Child Health
CeMOC is designed to ensure no woman dies giving life. By connecting rural clinics with general hospitals and equipping healthcare workers to handle high-risk pregnancies, the programme is bridging critical gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“We’ve signed agreements with over 200 hospitals nationwide. Our goal is simple: free, timely, and quality care for every pregnant woman in need,” explained Mrs. Haruna.
The collaboration between NHIA and state governments like Lagos and Kano ensures the programme reaches the most vulnerable, even in hard-to-reach communities.
A Renewed Commitment to Nigerians
To make the patient experience even better, NHIA recently mandated that all care authorizations must be completed within one hour. For emergencies, treatment can begin immediately, with authorization finalized within 48 hours.
This new directive, which came into effect in April 2025, guarantees faster, more efficient healthcare access and holds providers accountable.
The Road Ahead
With its people-focused approach, NHIA is setting a new standard for healthcare in Nigeria. From empowering women to saving lives and making insurance accessible to millions, these reforms are paving the way for a healthier nation.
Dr. Ohiri summed it up best:
“Our vision is a Nigeria where no one is denied quality healthcare because of where they live or how much they earn. Together, we can make this a reality.”
