President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the National Health Insurance Authority Bill 2022 into law which repeals the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Act, Cap N42, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. During the signing ceremony, President Buhari stated that a fund will be set up “to ensure coverage of 83 million poor Nigerians who cannot afford to pay premiums as recommended by the Lancet Nigeria Commission”.
According to reports, a Vulnerable Group Fund would be set up for the large number of vulnerable individuals who are incapable of paying health insurance premiums.
The new Act empowers the National Health Insurance Authority and state governments to create and develop information management systems and digital records for improved data collection, monitoring, and quality assurance.
President Buhari also stated that there will be partnerships with state government health insurance schemes in order to accredit primary and secondary health facilities to ensure the delivery of quality health services.
The President tasked the Health Reform Committee to collaborate with state governments, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the National Health Insurance Authority to ensure the proper implementation of the articles as contained in the new Act.
