The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has signed a tripartite agreement with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Servicom Unit of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to strengthen health insurance coverage, improve data accuracy, and enhance service delivery for over 20 million enrollees nationwide.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, Director-General of NHIA, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, said the collaboration with NBS will enable the authority to build a more robust, data-driven, and responsive health insurance system that reflects the realities of Nigerians.
“This partnership will ensure that the right data and issues affecting the poor and vulnerable are captured and measured by the NBS,” he said.
Ohiri explained that the two agencies would work together to improve the quality and reliability of health data to assess whether insurance services are making measurable impacts on the population.
“Accurate and timely data are critical for planning, implementation, and evaluation of health insurance policies. This partnership represents a shared commitment to improving data quality and answering fundamental questions, what works well in Nigeria, and if we are truly improving people’s lives?” he stated.
He added that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Servicom, whose primary mandate is to enhance the quality of public service delivery, underscores NHIA’s “whole-of-government” approach to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in line with national priorities.
Ohiri emphasised that universal health coverage is not just about expanding access but ensuring that Nigerians receive quality care at all accredited facilities.
“We are working to ensure that the enrollee charter and QR Cadet system in health facilities are fully operational, in partnership with Servicom desk officers, to improve the quality of care and services to Nigerians,” he added.
The partnership is expected to strengthen data-driven decision-making, improve accountability in service delivery, and ensure that health insurance programmes effectively reach Nigeria’s poor and vulnerable populations.
