Pupils’ enrolment to cost N48, says NHIS boss

The vision of the new leadership of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to bring affordable and effective healthcare to all Nigerians, it has declared that N48b will be required to implement its proposed coverage for all pupils in public primary schools in the country.

A press release issued by the Head, Media & Public Relations of NHIS, Ayo Osinlu, quoted the Executive Secretary of the Scheme, Dr. Femi Thomas, as saying plans have reached an advanced stage to ensure that the over twenty-four million pupils nationwide receive effective healthcare as needed, adding that the roll out of the programme is scheduled for the second quarter of this year.

Dr. Thomas who said made this known in Ado-Ekiti, during an advocacy visit to the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, further said the advocacy visit was part of a working tour of the state, to assess the structure and progress of the Scheme’s interventions in the state.

Dr. Thomas stated that 40% of the required fund for the programme has been set aside by the Scheme, adding that the balance is expected to come from benefitting states and other stakeholders.
While commending the efforts of Ekiti government in implementing various health programmes aimed at improving the health status of its people, he maintained that one hundred percent health coverage was achievable in the state, noting that the 2.8 million populations could be conveniently factored into the Scheme’s programmes within the set timeline.

Furthermore, Thomas called for the deepening of the NHIS Millenium Development Goals (MDGs)/ Maternal and Child Health (MCH) project in the state, commending the release of its counterpart fund for the programme as a sure footed step in the right direction.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor, Professor Modupe Adelabu restated the state’s unalloyed commitment to healthcare delivery, stressing that the state government holds the view that citizens deserved an efficient medical attention to attain prosperity and overall development.