NSOANP advocates free surgical care into health insurance scheme

The National Surgical, Obstetrics, Anaesthesia and Nursing Plan (NSOANP) has urged the introduction of free surgical emergency care into the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), which was formerly known as National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2022 signed into law an Act to repeal the NHIS Act of 1999 and establish the NHIA Act 2022.

NSOANP, yesterday, at a workshop at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, said the proposal was in line with the plan developed by Nigeria in response to the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution in 2015 in which it enjoined member-states to ensure that basic surgical and emergency care is part of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in each member state.

Consultant Surgeon, Special Grade 1, Department of Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Deborah Bitrus-Oghoghorie, said the President’s policy of compulsory enrolment of every Nigerian for health insurance would hopefully come to effect with surgical packages.

We are presently advocating for free surgical emergency care for every Nigerian in need of it so Nigerians should prepare and be insured against surgery if at all they will need it,” she said.