Programme to expand healthcare for poor Nigerians
Healthcare stakeholders, government officials, development partners, and private sector players have launched the Inclusive Health Insurance Enrolment Programme (IHIEP), an initiative to expand access to affordable healthcare services for vulnerable
Healthcare stakeholders, government officials, development partners, and private sector players have launched the Inclusive Health Insurance Enrolment Programme (IHIEP), an initiative to expand access to affordable healthcare services for vulnerable Nigerians.
The programme, spearheaded by Global Health Charity and Training Foundation (GHCTF) in collaboration with Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) will enrol the indigent in approved State Health Insurance Schemes while strengthening healthcare delivery at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
Speaking at the launch at Lagos Continental Hotel, Lagos, Executive Director and Board Member of Global Health Charity and Training Foundation, Dr. Adebayo Akintobi, said the initiative would leverage the expertise of Nigerian doctors in the diaspora to build healthcare capacity in Nigeria.
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He said the foundation began the project three years ago to improve healthcare delivery and build local capacity in Nigeria’s health institutions.
“This initiative is put together by Global Health Charity and Training Foundation in collaboration with Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria. Doctors in the diaspora are bringing their expertise to build capacity among colleagues in secondary and teaching hospitals,” he said.
Akintobi said the foundation conducted a medical outreach at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, where 79 surgeries were successfully carried out in orthopaedic, cardiothoracic, urology, and general surgery.
“In addition, we did 50 gastro colonoscopies and endoscopies to screen for colon cancer. We worked with medical students, resident doctors, and consultants, helping the hospital build capacity. The hospital now conducts hip replacement surgeries, which they were not doing before,” he said.
He added the initiative also extended to community outreach in Iperu, Sagamu, Owu, Ake and Ake Abeokuta in Ogun State, screening residents for hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and hepatitis.
“We screened residents in four locations, provided two months of free medication for those diagnosed with medical conditions, and enrolled about 2,000 into Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme,” he added.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, said the initiative, sponsored by a global charity organisation, in collaboration with PSHAN, is to improve access to healthcare for the vulnerable.
“The aim is to encourage philanthropists to sponsor insurance enrolment for children under five, expectant mums, the elderly, and residents in rural communities,” she said.
She noted that the initiative aligns with the Nigeria’s national health insurance policy and health care reforms to improve access to quality and affordable healthcare, especially in the rural communuties.
“Currently, less than five per cent of Nigerians are enrolled in health insurance. I encourage Nigerians to enrol through their nearest primary healthcare centres or state health insurance offices.’’
‘‘Health insurance ensures access to quality healthcare regardless of financial ability,” she added.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa represented by Mr Dipo Odewale commended the initiative and described it as a timely intervention.
“Access to quality healthcare should not be a privilege reserved for a few but a fundamental right enjoyed by all. This initiative directly addresses the gaps that have long prevented vulnerable and underserved populations from accessing essential health services,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the importance of diaspora contributions to national development, noting that knowledge transfer, investment, and partnerships from Nigerians abroad remain vital to strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
She further stressed the need for collaboration among government institutions, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and civil society to ensure sustainable healthcare delivery and improved health outcomes nationwide.
Director of Policy and Programmes, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), Dr. Anne Adah-Ogoh during her presentation highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in transforming Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“I think one common thing that everyone in this room shares is the desire to see healthcare improve in Nigeria. We want our health indicators to improve. We want the status quo to change and we do not want Nigeria to continue leading from behind in global health indices,” she said.
Dr. Adah-Ogoh stressed that improving healthcare outcomes requires innovative thinking and collaboration across sectors.
“If we want to do things differently, we must think outside the box. We need a whole-of-society approach and a whole-of-government approach. If collectively we lift this burden, it becomes easier to improve healthcare outcomes across the country,” she added.
She noted that PSHAN mobilizes private sector resources to strengthen public health programmes, ensuring sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient healthcare delivery.
“At PSHAN, we pool private sector resources through the Private Sector Health Alliance Trust, and these resources are deployed into public health programmes that strengthen the healthcare system and ensure every investment makes a meaningful impact,” she explained.
Dr. Adah-Ogoh also highlighted PSHAN’s flagship initiative, the Adopt-A-Primary Healthcare Facility Programme, which aims to ensure that every Nigerian lives within five kilometres of a functional primary healthcare centre.
“If we strengthen primary healthcare centres, we can solve up to 80 percent of healthcare challenges. This reduces pressure on secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions and improves overall healthcare delivery,” she said.
She disclosed that PSHAN is working toward establishing at least one functional primary healthcare centre in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
“Currently, the programme is operational in about 30 states, and we continue to expand to ensure more Nigerians have access to quality healthcare services,” she added.
The Inclusive Health Insurance Enrolment Programme is expected to commence implementation across participating states, with beneficiaries to be enrolled through accredited state health insurance schemes.
Stakeholders and dignitaries present were;
Commissioner for Health in Lagos State,Professor Akin Abayomi represented by Director of Business Development Lagos State Health Management Agency, Mr. Rotimi Olatunji;Chief Executive Officer of One Stop Rx, Mr. Femi Dominic;Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako represented by the Assistant Director of the Lagos Zonal Office of the National Health Insurance Authority, Mr. Ogbonaya Opani;Chief Executive Officer,Nigerian’s Indiaspora Commission, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa represented by Mr Dipo Odewale; Director, Policy and programs ,private sector health alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) Dr Anne Adah-Ogoh amongst others .
