By Oladipo Joshua

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) says hiring Health Maintenance Organisation (HMOs) and other healthcare providers will be sanctioned if found wanting against the universal acceptable standards.

The authority also said it has rolled out several healthcare policies and strategies to make stakeholders enjoy its healthcare services by removing all bottlenecks.

The Director-General of NHIA, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, made this known at a one-day stakeholders interactive forum for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on Thursday in Osogbo.

Ohiri, represented by Mr Falode Olalekan, Osun NHIA coordinator, said the essence of the meeting was to synergise and keep stakeholders abreast of current developments and reforms by NHIA towards achieving greater results.

He said that the health insurance ecosystem is constantly evolving with several breakthroughs recorded and vibrant policies adopted by the scheme together with narrative changes.

According to him, the NHIA will continue to contribute its best towards ensuring that stakeholders are kept abreast of development to ensure a good healthcare service delivery by HMOs and NHIA.

“We will continue to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria through our programmes in ensuring that everyone knows what the authority is all about.

“Our core values which includes commitment, responsiveness, efficiency, accountability, transparency and equity to quality healthcare cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

The DG expressed gratitude to various representatives of MDAs, Health Care Providers and other Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) for their roles towards ensuring a good healthcare service delivery.

Ohiri urged stakeholders to support the scheme in achieving its mandate of attaining universal healthcare services.

The guest lecturers at the meeting which included Dr Adeyemi Saheed, Mrs Adegoke Ayomide and Mr Musa Agundiade spoke on some issues surrounding NHIA services by HMOs and GIFSHIP.

Agundiade discussed some challenges facing stakeholders in accessing the health insurance benefits such as the out-of-stock syndrome of medications, long waiting period experienced by enrolees while accessing healthcare services among other issues.

He urged beneficiaries of the scheme to always ensure they access closed healthcare centres, avoid impersonation of services and their rights to chose a provider and preferred referral.

“Stakeholders have the right to know about their health status from any healthcare providers and making complaint to the providers especially the HMOs and NHIA,” he stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting had in attendance Federal Government agencies’ representatives, paramilitary personnel, healthcare providers and other key stakeholders. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni