Abuja: The Managing Director of SUNU Health Nigeria Ltd., Dr. Moyosore Olomola, has advocated for stronger legislation to expand health insurance coverage and expedite the realization of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria. Olomola emphasized the need for collaboration among the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), private Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs), healthcare providers, and lawmakers.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Nigeria currently has 22 million health insurance enrollees, which is significantly below the NHIA’s target of 44 million beneficiaries by 2030. Olomola suggested that the relationship between the NHIA and private HMOs should evolve into a genuine partnership to enhance healthcare financing and improve access to quality services. He highlighted the importance of a sustainable private HMO sector for achieving government targets.
Olomola proposed several measures, including a transparent tariff review mechanism linked to healthcare inflation, stronger enforcement of mandatory employer enrolment under the NHIA Act, and predictable funding through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. He also called for a formal dispute resolution mechanism between HMOs and the NHIA to address disagreements and strengthen collaboration.
Additionally, Olomola advocated for legislation to establish a provider accountability framework, noting that healthcare providers who deny services or demand unauthorized payments undermine public confidence in the health insurance system. He suggested sanctions for providers who operate outside the regulatory framework, including suspension from NHIA accreditation and public reporting.
Olomola’s proposals were presented during a recent engagement with Hon. Amos Magaji, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Health Services, to seek legislative support for removing barriers to health insurance expansion. He acknowledged the NHIA’s progress but pointed out structural challenges, such as funding gaps and inadequate premium models for the informal sector, that hinder enrolment.
Olomola commended the NHIA for reforms like tariff reviews and stronger engagement with private HMOs, describing them as vital foundations for expanding coverage. He noted that 80 percent of Nigeria’s workforce earns irregular or cash-based incomes, making conventional premium models unsuitable for many. SUNU Health is addressing this through community-based enrolment and weekly USSD micro-premium payments.
The partnership with MobiHealth extends SUNU Health’s digital reach, enabling telemedicine access for enrollees. Olomola highlighted the need for a unified national health insurance database and greater transparency across the sector, emphasizing that disciplined execution and private sector partnership are essential for achieving UHC in Nigeria.