THUR, APRIL 04 2019-theG&BJournal- Findings from recent NOIPolls reveals the extent to which millions of Nigerians are deprived health care insurance coverage despite the willingness to pay for their wellbeing from their pockets.
89 percent of Nigerians do not have any form of health insurance, contrary to the UN and WHO goal of ensuring that universal health for everyone everywhere, the poll revealed.
Of this proportion, 78 percent expressed their willingness to pay a small amount of money to enable them access service whenever they fall ill.
‘’These findings clearly highlight the low penetration of health insurance across the country and calls for intensive sensitization and mass mobilisation of the populace,’’ NOIPolls said.
According to the survey result only 9 percent Nigerians claimed they have some form of health insurance, of which 71 percent indicated NHIS and 21 percent indicated Private Health Management Organizations (HMOs) as their provider.
A substantial proportion of Nigerians (78 percent) who were not covered expressed willingness to pay a small amount of money monthly/yearly to get enrolled for health coverage, according to the polls.
The most utilized healthcare facilities by Nigerians is government owned hospitals (primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities as revealed by majority of Nigerians (63 percent) interviewed. This was followed by respondents who visit private hospitals (39 percent) and Pharmacy/Chemist stores (17 percent), and those who self-medicate (13 percent) amongst others.
When asked how they pay for healthcare services, most of the respondents (82 percent) reported that they pay “Out of pocket”, and this cuts across gender, geo-political zones and age groups.
A total of 89 percent actually pay out of pocket, since 7 percent of respondents said they received support from friends and family, which can also be categorised as out of pocket expenses. This was followed in a far distance by only 9 percent of the respondents who claimed that they access health care services using their health insurance scheme.
Interestingly, during the course of the poll, some respondents made on the spot inquiries on how to enrol on a health insurance scheme.
‘’These findings also clearly demonstrate the critical need for sensitization and awareness campaigns to mobilize the citizenry on the need and benefits of health insurance,’’ NOIPolls said.
The NOIPolls noted that at least 10 Nigerian States have signed health insurance laws to help in achieving equitable and sustainable health financing mechanism. Functional State health insurance schemes will help increase the pool of individuals with health insurance thereby driving down premiums.
‘’While it is critical for government to re-evaluate its current budgetary allocation to the health sector; it is also important for stakeholders to consider more sustainable ways to finance the sector through health insurance, and to mobilise the public to increase the pool of funds available for investment into the sector,’’ NOIPolls said.
The polls was conducted in line with United Nations and World Health Organization which set aside 7th of April each year to raise awareness of the need to improve global health
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