Medical Director Speaks On Compulsory Health Insurance

Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Prof. Akin Osibogun,   Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, on Sunday said that the introduction of compulsory health insurance would improve the nation’s healthcare delivery tremendously.

Osibogun told newsmen that the scheme would help government at all levels to deliver improved healthcare services.

“The principle is simple: If every individual can contribute as little as N2,000 premium, it can cover every simple health condition,” he said.

He said insurance covered different premiums, depending on which one is chosen, adding that some premiums could even cover health conditions like cancer and kidney conditions.

“Depending on the premium any individual wants to get involved in, the benefits in compulsory health insurance will go a long way to help Nigerians.

“I wish the public could embrace the compulsory health insurance scheme for better and easy access to healthcare,” Osibogun said.

He said that such insurance policy should cover between 18 years and 65 years unlike the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Osibogun said that the scheme had recorded success in advanced countries, citing  Holland among others.

Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, the Minister of Health, recently said that there were plans to make NHIS mandatory for every citizen.

Chukwu said that although the NHIS was working, there was the need to make it mandatory either by tax system or through contributions.