Health Zone: FG to make health insurance compulsory – Minister

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has declared that plans are underway to make health insurance compulsory in the country.

Chukwu stated this at a health summit entitled “Universal Health Coverage: the Vehicle for Sustainable Growth and Development” in Abuja on Monday.

The minister, who said there was already a consensus on the initiative, noted that it would further provide the financial support for the scheme.

Chukwu said, “Consensus was reached that the government should work with all stakeholders to make health insurance mandatory for all Nigerians. Financial access is possible if health insurance is compulsory and treated as right of all citizens.

“This summit reaffirms our resolve to find solution to our health system challenges as well as invest strategically to improve equitable access to health care at all levels.”

According to him, there is strong evidence that investment in health and nutrition are not only good for people’s health, but also for economic development.