NMA VISIT: SANWO-OLU EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEMES IN NIGERIA

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has tasked the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to lead the advocacy on the importance of health insurance schemes in Nigeria for citizens to be able to have access to good healthcare.

The Governor stated this today during a courtesy visit by the National Leadership of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), led by the President, Dr. (Prof.) Bala Mohammed Audu, to the Office of the Deputy Governor, Alausa, Ikeja, stressing that the move would ensure citizens have access to quality healthcare services and promote a healthier population through increased insurance coverage.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat said there is a need to find a way to explain to our people that a health insurance scheme is important. “As people find it difficult to fund their health on their own. As such, every nation or state in the world must take the health of its citizens paramount and seriously”, he said.

The Governor noted that the Lagos State government recognises the crucial role of health insurance in catering for the healthcare needs of the state’s rapidly growing population, which is why health insurance is a top priority in the state.

While speaking on the number of private hospitals in Lagos, compared to the number of general hospitals, the Governor stated that there is a need for the association to make sure that private hospitals are also at the level where people’s health can be well maintained and managed properly with the help of insurance schemes.

He reiterated that the present administration is about to establish the University of Medicine and Allied Science, to increase the number of medical doctors the state produces, from 150 to about a thousand and more.

“We are trying to increase our Primary Health Centres so that we can treat people better under our Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme. As part of our health insurance, we include more private hospitals to join the scheme and I think that is what we need to push to every part of the country so that people can have access to health insurance”, Sanwo-Olu said.

Earlier in his Address, the President Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Bala Muhammed Audu said the association is committed to partnering with the Lagos State government to achieve universal health coverage and international best practices in healthcare.

While acknowledging Sanwo-Olu’s administration achievements in healthcare, Prof. Bala noted that its impact on the llera Eko programme, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, and during the COVID-19 pandemic is commendable.

Speaking on the responsibilities of the association, Prof. Bala noted the association is dedicated to advocating for facility regulation, universal applicability of standards of care, and welfare for healthcare professionals.

The President, therefore, requested that the Lagos State Governor should champion the advocacies to the Nigerian Governors Forum and Mr. President. He also solicited support for the association’s National Secretariat building project and requested welfare packages for doctors in Lagos State, including implementation of the reviewed CONMESS, non-taxable call duty allowance, housing/car loan, and a bus.