The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, revealed on Wednesday that the Federal Government has registered approximately 750,000 Nigerians into the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Pate made this announcement during the third edition of the ministerial press briefing series organized by the Ministry of Information in Abuja. He mentioned that the administration led by President Bola Tinubu will soon introduce a comprehensive program to digitize the nation’s healthcare system within the next two weeks.
The purpose of the briefing series is to offer a platform for public officials to outline their achievements and inform Nigerians about the governance challenges.
In August 2024, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Anas-Ibrahim, had stated that the Federal Government aims to provide health coverage to over 50 million Nigerians, particularly focusing on vulnerable and elderly citizens by 2027. She emphasized the commitment to achieving universal health coverage across the nation.
In October 2023, the Federal Government launched operational guidelines for the 2022 National Health Insurance Authority Act as part of its efforts to ensure that all Nigerians have access to affordable healthcare services. These guidelines are designed to facilitate the implementation of health insurance, ensuring that no Nigerian is left without coverage.
During the briefing, Pate highlighted the government’s substantial progress in expanding health insurance coverage. He emphasized efforts to make medical care more accessible and affordable by supporting enrollment initiatives and streamlining administrative processes.