By Chika Onyesi
Supervising Director and Chief Executive of the
Scheme, National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS Mr. Ben Omogo has urged staff
members of the scheme to brace up for their strategic roles in the
implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
He gave the charge at a meeting of the Zonal and
State Co-ordinators of the Scheme from the South-East, South-West and
South-South Zones of the country
The meeting is part of activities to upgrade the
capacity of the staff of the Scheme for their roles in implementing the fund
which is expected to be kick-started by the federal government soon.
Mr. Omogo confirmed that the necessary approvals
have been secured, and appropriate machineries set in motion for the
commencement of the provision of basic primary healthcare to Nigerians under
the fund in the pilot states of Abia, Niger, Osun, Yobe, Katsina, Edo and the
Federal Capital Territory.
The NHIS boss described the role of the Scheme in
the process as critical, considering that NHIS is one of the gateways for the utilisation
of the fund.
He explained that half of one percent of the
Consolidated Revenue Fund would be processed through Health Insurance Agencies
of States, under the management of NHIS, for the provision of basic primary
healthcare for the beneficiaries.
He said the need to be ready with required skills
and competences for effective interface with the State Health Insurance
agencies, informed the approval of the capacity update, despite the dwindling
resources of the Scheme.
Mr. Omogo expressed hope that the workshop will
deepen the understanding of staff members of the concept of health financing and the
legal framework needed to execute health financing reforms through the State
Social Health Insurance Programme (SSHIP), as well as the necessary
institutional arrangements required to support implementation of the SSHIP.
He challenged participants to assert themselves
as competent professionals, and justify the confidence of the federal
government and the general public, as all eyes are set on effective
implementation of BHCPF.
Mr. Omogo used the occasion to remind top staff of
NHIS of the core mandate of the Scheme, which is the attainment of Universal
Health Coverage, while stressing that NHIS was not a financially bouyant
institution as wrongfully perceived, adding that the pool of funds in its
custody belongs to contributors.
The Chief Executive, who reminded all that he was
only operating in an acting capacity,
lauded staff of the organisation for the remarkable cooperation he has received
on his assignment so far.
A second part of the workshop for Zonal and State
Coordinators in North West, North East and North Central states is expected to
follow soon.
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