FG set to launch health coverage for vulnerable citizens

FG set to launch health coverage for vulnerable citizens

The Federal Government said it has kicked off plans to start the Universal Health Coverage which would provide affordable  and accessible health care to 83 million vulnerable Nigerians.

Theconscienceng reports that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this when the delegation from the World Health Organisation led by its Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo Kazadi alongside the Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Authority, Prof. Mohammed Nasir Sambo, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Mustapha said the signing into law of the National Health Insurance Authority Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari presents a new lease of life to the health sector, which would make universal health coverage accessible to the vulnerable in every nook and cranny of the country.

These were contained in a statement by the Director of Information, Office of the SGF, Willie Bassey on Wednesday.

The statement partly read, “In May of this year, we had the President signed the bill, now made it to an act to create first, the agency that is going to administer the universal health insurance coverage to cater for the 83 million vulnerable you mentioned. And also to superintend over the general administration of the insurance coverage across the length and breadth of this country. One of the multiplier effects of treating sicknesses is the impoverishment of the families affected because of the out-of-pocket expenses being expended in the course of treatment.”

He stated that the signing into law of the NHIA bill would fast track government’s effort in reducing poverty and improving the economic lives of Nigerians.