Senate Moves for Poor Nigerians to have access to quality healthcare

The  Senate has begun the process of regulating Health Insurance in the country to ensure that poor Nigerians have access to quality healthcare. According to the Senate, to achieve this is through the establishment of the National Health Insurance Commission, which it is presently seeking for its establishment.

The Upper Chamber while considering a bill for an Act to repeal the National Health Insurance Scheme Act, 2004, said the passage of the National Health Insurance Commission Bill, 2019 under consideration by the National Assembly would guarantee the effective implementation of the country’s health insurance policy.

According to Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe (APC, Kwara Central), the bill “is about every family in Nigeria as it is manifestly clear that it is poised to positively affect all Nigerian families.”

He said that the Bill seeks to boost healthcare delivery in Nigeria, provide robust, affordable and sustainable financial mechanisms for health, and reduce the high mortality rate across the country. The Bill Scaled second reading in the Senate yesterday.

The bill as proposed, if enacted and properly implemented in the form envisaged, will make health insurance compulsory, boost the nation’s health indicators, improve productivity and economic well-being of citizens and enable the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.

In his remarks,  President of the Senate, Senator  Ahmad Lawan, referred the bill to the Committee on Health for further legislative work.

-Vanguardngr