UHC: Govt needs to put in more money – FMC Jabi chair

The Chairman, Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, has said for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to be achieved in Nigeria, government needs to put in more money into the scheme and set up a very effective regulatory mechanism. The Chairman, Dr. Alex Ideh, said this will ensure that what is given to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) moves to the HMOs and down the providers.
Dr. Ideh gave the advice at the 3rd Annual AGM and Scientific conference, organised by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, at Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, recently in Abuja.
According to him, “the problem we are having is a gap between what government gives and what goes between the NHIS as a group, and the HMOs.
It doesn’t trickle down to the primary and tertiary providers.
“If we can get this regulatory mechanism well, I am sure more people will be captured and everybody will be happy.” Also speaking, the Local Organising Chairman conference and consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Ahmedu Christopher, said they chose the theme: “Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria: The role of tertiary health institutions”, because of the history of out of pocket payment.
He said: “People paying out of pocket when they fall sick is actually a very big issue.
So, if there is a way out by providing universal health coverage to avoid people paying out of pocket, and to help improve the total wellbeing of the Nigerian populace, they will be happy.”