NIGCOMSAT boosts NHIS’ electronic enrolment with biometric kits, card printers

As part of efforts to enrol at least 70 per cent of Nigerians on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, the operation of health insurance using contemporary information and communication technology (ICT) equipment has received a significant boost with the delivery of 37 customised mobile biometric Enrolment kit and 100 identity card printers to the Scheme.

The Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) had a penultimate week, in Abuja, presented the full complement of the devices to the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Prof. Mohammed Sambo.

Apparently delighted with the milestone, Sambo said the electronic platform would transform the entire operations of health insurance in the country from enrolment to access to care, adding that the device will enable the conduct of registration activities in rural areas and places where there is no electricity. Tracing the history of the e-NHIS project, Sambo expressed gratitude to the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for breathing life into the project and the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, for his unflinching support, which facilitated Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for the project.

Explaining features of the device, deputy manager, NIGCOMSAT, Mr. Akin Morakinyo, said the kit is ruggedised tamperproof and waterproof IP67 standard comprising a laptop, fingerprint scanner, signature pad, HD webcam, thermal printer and 45000mah backup battery which can last eight hours without charge, adding that the device can work online and offline while its accompanying identity card printer can produce 1000 cards per kit per day.

General Manager, Human Resources (NIGCOMSAT), Idris Adamu, who led the agency’s team of experts, further explained that the enrolment kit will enable NHIS to fulfil its partnership agreement with the Nigeria Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on the compulsory National Identity Number (NIN), adding that the kit was custom-made for the Scheme.

Adamu further explained that in the event of the kit falling from a 10-feet height it would suffer no disrepair, adding that the device was carefully designed to withstand intense physical pressure. Head, Media and Public Relations (PR), NHIS, Emmanuel Ononokpono, said: “The automation of NHIS services is to come on stream later on in the year.”