The Coordinating Minister of Well being and Human Providers, Prof. Muhammad Pate, on Wednesday, disclosed that the Federal Authorities has enrolled about 750,000 Nigerians into the Nationwide Well being Insurance coverage Scheme.
Pate acknowledged this on the third version of the sequence of ministerial press conferences initiated by the Ministry of Data in Abuja, noting that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration will unveil a complete program to overtake the nation's healthcare system within the subsequent two weeks digitize.
The briefing sequence was designed to supply a platform for presidency officers to showcase their achievements and educate Nigerians on the challenges of governance.
The Particular Adviser to the President on Well being, Dr. Salma Anas-Ibrahim, had mentioned in August 2024 that the FG would offer healthcare to over 50 million Nigerians, particularly the susceptible and aged, by 2027.
She famous that nobody is left behind in reaching common healthcare within the nation.
In October 2023, the FG launched the Operational Tips for the Nationwide Well being Insurance coverage Authority Act 2022 as a part of efforts to make sure that all Nigerians have entry to reasonably priced healthcare providers.
The rules are meant to facilitate the implementation of medical health insurance and be sure that no Nigerian is left behind.
In the course of the briefing, Pate mentioned the federal government has made vital progress so far in increasing medical health insurance.
He mentioned: “Recognizing that monetary limitations typically forestall folks from searching for medical care, we have now labored tirelessly to extend the accessibility and affordability of medical health insurance.
“By supporting enrollment initiatives and streamlining administrative processes, we have now prolonged protection to thousands and thousands of Nigerians, defending them from the monetary hardship related to healthcare prices.
“Because the inception of this administration, we have now enrolled about 750,000 extra Nigerians for medical health insurance. We stay dedicated to offering entry to high quality healthcare for all Nigerians by the Weak Group Fund and the Fundamental Well being Care Provision Fund.”
He added that the federal government was dedicated to enhancing tertiary healthcare within the nation.
“I’m additionally happy to announce a major enhance in affected person visits to federal tertiary hospitals, a testomony to the improved high quality of care and confidence in our healthcare system.
“Via focused investments in infrastructure, know-how and human capital, we’ll construct the capability of those establishments to ship specialised medical providers and deal with advanced well being points, so that each Nigerian has entry to world-class healthcare when wanted.
“Our dedication to enhancing tertiary healthcare is unwavering. Twelve tertiary hospitals and facilities are earmarked for infrastructure improvement, together with the institution of oncology facilities, radiology facilities and diagnostic services. These investments will improve our capability to supply specialised care and meet the evolving healthcare wants of our folks,” Pate mentioned.
He famous that the federal government is working with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to handle the scarcity of healthcare professionals by rising the variety of medical college students admitted to medical faculties within the nation.
In keeping with him, the healthcare system within the nation will probably be digitized as a part of the ministry's agenda for the healthcare sector.
“Digitalization is poised to revolutionize healthcare in Nigeria, and we’re dedicated to embracing this transformation.
“Inside the subsequent two weeks, we’ll unveil a complete program to digitalize our healthcare system, streamline processes, enhance efficiencies and enhance affected person outcomes,” Pate mentioned.
