The Federal Government says it has concluded plans to provide free healthcare services for 83 million vulnerable Nigerians.
This was disclosed during a press conference in Ilorin, Kwara State by Mr Adelaja Abereoro, General Manager, National Health lnsurance Authority (NHlA), Ilorin zone, which includes Kwara, Kogi, and Niger States.
The Federal Government’s decision followed the realisation that most vulnerable Nigerians lack the wherewithal to access the health services they needed.
“There is a plan by the federal government in the new reviewed Act of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHlA) to provide free medical treatment to over eighty three million vulnerable Nigerians to alleviate their sufferings,” Abereoro said.
He called on the state governments to complement the efforts of the federal government by establishing health insurance agencies to enable more people access quality healthcare delivery services across the states.
According to him, Nigeria cannot achieve a comprehensive healthcare delivery without the support of the states and other stakeholders in the health sector.
Abereoro also urged state and federal lawmakers to include a health insurance scheme in their constituency projects to meet the health needs of their constituents.
He noted that the services of the scheme have been updated in consonance with global best practices, stating that the scheme now covers general medical check up.
According to the General Manager, under the scheme’s revised Act, corps members are eligible for free healthcare services from the day of their mobilisation until the end of their service year, including those who become pregnant during the service year.
