NHIS plans cheaper healthcare for informal sector

Top on the agenda of the new Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf would be to reach the poor and the vulnerable in the informal sector with access to efficient healthcare without financial constraints.

Yusuf yesterday took charge at the scheme’s headquarters in Abuja.

The professor of haematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation, according to a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Ayo Osinlu, said: “My mandate at the scheme is to design and implement strategies and instruments that will make NHIS a good steward of the nation’s commonwealth. The new process will have no place for vices and distractions like corruption, inefficiency, impunity and political patronage.

“Special attention would be accorded to supporting the poor and the vulnerable in the informal sector to be able to access efficient healthcare without financial constraints.”

Yusuf, therefore, advised all workers of the scheme nationwide to gear up for an internal change process that will lead to the evolution of an efficient, dynamic, and purposeful organisation that is able to address the expectations of all Nigerians, irrespective of social and economic circumstances.

Addressing management of the organisation, he summarised his mandate as refocusing and repositioning NHIS such that it delivers value for all Nigerians.

The new NHIS boss, who is a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians also unveiled a seven-week transition programme, which includes presentations from heads of the various departments, meetings with non-management staff of the agency and consultations with leadership and members of trade unions.

In his remarks at the handover, the former acting Executive Secretary, Mr. ‘Femi Akingbade, assured Yusuf that NHIS remains the hub of the country’s quest for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).