By Tinmwakwat Goyang & Juliet Uzoukwu
Provision of affordable health services for all has been identified as the primary mandate of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
The Plateau State Coordinator of NHIS, Hajiya Halima Zakari said this at a programme titled “NHIS and You” organized by Wise Health Services Ltd, at the University of Jos.
Represented by Mr Gye Danladi she educated the audience on their rights, privileges and roles under the NHIS adding that the scheme with the motto, “Accessible Health Care For All” was launched in 2005 by President Olusegun Obansanjo, to provide affordable health care for all Nigerians.
She listed other functions of the scheme to include health advocacy campaigns, sensitization of stake holders as well as partnership with private health practitioners and institutions for easier accessibility to health care.
The zonal business coordinator, North- Central Zone of Wise Health Services Mrs Lillian Aderogba, listed the products offered by the company, which has the University of Jos and many other tertiary institutions of learning as clients, to include the Formal Sector Health Insurance Programme, the Private Sector Health Insurance Programme, the Educational Institutions Health Insurance Programme, among others.
During the interactive session, participants were assured that some of the notable problems of the scheme such as lack of identification cards and non recognition of beneficiaries by some health institutions, would soon be a thing of the past.
She disclosed that plans were also on by the NHIS to cooperate with PENCOM for the inclusion of retirees in the scheme.
Enrollees were urged to channel all complaints to the NHIS, and also feel free to change their service providers at will in order to get quality health care.
Those present on the occasion were advised to always embark on annual medical check-ups, eye examinations and the treatment of all terminal illnesses including the HIV.
