Strat.1 Allocate a higher percentage of the national budget to the health sector, aligning with the Abuja Declaration, which recommends that at least 15% of the national budget be allocated to health .
Strat.2 Focus on improving access to primary healthcare services, especially in rural and underserved areas .
Strat.3 • Ensure a universal health insurance system to ensure all citizens have access to affordable healthcare and expand the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to achieve nationwide coverage of a broader range of services and ensure efficient operation.
Specific Legislative Actions
Strat.1 N/A
Strat.2 The House has focus on improving access to primary healthcare services by organising retreats for members of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, in Abuja in November, 2023. (https://von.gov.ng/house-of-reps-to-improve-primary-healthcare-services/?utm.)
Strat.3 The NHIS increased Coverage in the country. For instance by 2024, every State has been involved in providing Health insurance which is a major milestone for the Authority leading to a culminating enrollment growth of 19.18 million Nigerians. (https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2025/02/04/nhia-prioritises-higher-enrolment-vulnerable-groups/?utm)
The NHIA has made efforts to enroll more vulnerable populations under its insurance scheme between 2023 to 2025. For instance in 2024, approximately 2.4 million Nigerians cosiderd to be under the vulnerable groups were enrolled through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. This reflects a significant increase in coverage, though it still falls short of the goal to cover the entire population.
National Health Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2271) sponsored by Hon Muhktar Zakari Chaiwai - passed first reading on 7th May, 2025 (https://lightraymedia.org/2025/05/08/nigeria-national-assembly-plenary-proceedings-house-of-reps-wed-may-7th-2025).
A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Health Insurance Authority Act, 2021 to Establish National Social Registrar (NSR) as the Primary Identification Tool for the Disbursement of the Vulnerable Group Fund and For Related Matters (HB.803) (Hon. Adedayo Samuel Adesola) – May 21st, 2025 -At second Reading Stage (https://lightraymedia.org/2024/05/22/plenary-proceedings-house-of-representatives-tuesday-may-21st-2024).
A motion was moved on the 24th June, 2025 plenary session by Hon. Billy Osawaru moved a motion on the need to investigate the challenges facing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) nationwide. The motion was seconded by Hon. David Agada. (https://lightraymedia.org/2025/06/25/plenary-proceedings-of-the-house-of-reps-tuesday-june-24th-2025)"
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