NHIA engages stakeholders on new health insurance initiatives in Yobe

Here is a polished NAN-style newspaper report reflecting the event, with all errors corrected and structured professionally:

—

By Ahmed I Abba

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) says it has introduced new reforms to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services for Nigerians.

The Yobe State Coordinator of NHIA, Malam Akilu Mansur, stated this on Tuesday in Damaturu at a stakeholders’ forum. Mansur was represented by Dr. Sani Hassan, Assistant Director, Programmes.

He said the forum was convened to sensitise stakeholders, including Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) and enrollees, on ongoing initiatives and to address challenges facing the scheme.

“This is a historic engagement because it brings together HMOs and our clients to strengthen collaboration and highlight the major reforms recently introduced by the NHIA,” Mansur said.

He said President Bola Tinubu had directed that all civil servants be enrolled in the NHIA to benefit from its packages, adding that the authority would soon require health insurance certificates as a condition for contracts and some licences.

The coordinator also highlighted the launch of a self-service portal, which enables Nigerians to register, change providers and check their enrolment status conveniently from their homes.

Mansur said enrollees dissatisfied with the services of their healthcare providers were at liberty to change to another within two months, a measure aimed at boosting competition and quality service delivery.

He explained that NHIA had set up monitoring and enforcement teams, as well as “mystery shoppers,” to evaluate hospitals and ensure compliance with service standards.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Emmanuel Isaac, who represented Prof. M. D. Tahir, Medical Director of the Ultra-Modern Police Hospital in Damaturu, said the facility was open to all Nigerians, not only police officers.

“The hospital is a blessing to Yobe State, especially in advanced surgical interventions such as gunshot and accident cases. With a valid NHIA card, every member of the public can access our services,” Isaac said.

Also speaking, Mr. Adamu Jajeri of Venice Medicare Limited, representing HMOs in the state, said the forum enhanced awareness and provided solutions to operational challenges.

“Our HMO manages over 600,000 enrollees nationwide, and the knowledge shared here will help us improve service delivery, especially with the adoption of electronic billing systems,” Jajeri said.

One of the enrollees, Malam Usman Bichi of the Federal Fire Service, commended NHIA for the initiative, saying the discussions had broadened his understanding of the authority’s services.

Our correspondent reports that participants at the forum pledged to strengthen collaboration towards achieving universal health coverage in Yobe State and beyond.