By Lilian U. Okoro
Roche Products Ltd. has partnered the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to expand coverage, improve quality, and ensure equitable healthcare access for Nigerians.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the collaboration, through the Health Innovation Leadership Academy, is designed to accelerate the realisation of Universal Health Coverage nationwide.
The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader health sector reforms aimed at strengthening systems, improving financing, and widening access to affordable healthcare services.
Through the partnership, NHIA is deploying innovative strategies to ensure no citizen suffers financial hardship when seeking essential healthcare services across the country.
Speaking in Lagos, Roche Acting General Manager, Dr Bolarinwa Oyedeji, stressed the need for NHIA to operate cohesively, eliminate silos, and drive mass enrolment nationwide.
She said institutional alignment and shared accountability were critical to achieving sustainable reforms and expanding insurance coverage across formal and informal sectors.
The programme is with the theme ‘Leading Change in Nigeria’s Healthcare System’.
According to Oyedeji, the initiative ensures NHIA leadership drives reforms from a ‘One NHIA and Enrollee First’ mindset, prioritising citizens’ health, dignity, and service delivery outcomes.
She noted that leadership commitment remained vital in addressing systemic inefficiencies and building trust among enrollees and healthcare providers.
She explained that stakeholders conducted inspection visits across state and federal health facilities in Lagos State to gather first-hand operational insights.
She said the visits aimed to assess NHIS operations, identify gaps, and propose practical solutions to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
“They provided a 360-degree view of the healthcare system, grounding NHIA’s strategies in realities faced by providers, enrollees, and innovators,” she said.
Oyedeji added stakeholders engaged Health Management Organisations to examine how tariffs influence efficiency, cost management, and sustainability within the health insurance ecosystem.
She said visits to Primary Healthcare Centres helped assess grassroots enrolment challenges and delivery of essential services to vulnerable and underserved populations.
She noted that improving primary healthcare remained central to expanding coverage and ensuring equitable access across rural and urban communities.
She added stakeholders also visited Computer Village, Ikeja, to explore digital tools, innovation, and data-driven solutions for scaling enrolment efficiently.
She said leveraging technology would enhance transparency, reduce leakages, and improve monitoring of healthcare service delivery nationwide.
“To bridge policy and practice gaps, stakeholders undertook extensive field engagements across Lagos.
“Insights from these visits will drive ‘NHIA Way’ projects ensuring access to care without financial hardship for all Nigerians.
“We are proud to partner NHIA through capacity building and innovation to expand equitable access and strengthen healthcare systems.
“When health systems improve, families remain strong, productivity increases, and the nation achieves inclusive economic growth.
“Closing health gaps and achieving UHC unlocks human capital necessary for a resilient and prosperous Nigeria,” Oyedeji said.
NHIA Director-General, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, said the Authority was fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation to address systemic challenges in health insurance administration.
He stressed the need for increased awareness and public education, noting that misconceptions still limit enrolment across many communities nationwide.
Ohiri said NHIA remained open to partnerships with private sector actors, development partners, and state governments to deepen acceptance of the scheme.
According to him, the authority is already demonstrating success through an enrollee-first approach and targeted interventions across key healthcare priorities.
He listed programmes including the Roche Cancer Partnership, Free Fistula Programme, and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care as impactful national interventions.
“These initiatives are saving lives, improving outcomes, and protecting families from catastrophic health expenditure.
“This programme invites openness, innovation, and creative problem-solving in addressing constraints within the health insurance system,” Ohiri said.
He said participants would develop actionable plans, leadership skills, and implementation-ready ideas to strengthen NHIA’s reform agenda.
On the ‘One NHIA’ commitment, he said the authority remained focused on expanding coverage, improving quality, ensuring equity, and promoting long-term sustainability.
He said coordinated action across departments and stakeholders would be essential in achieving the objectives of Universal Health Coverage.
“Nigerians should expect a shift towards an ‘Enrollee First’ era of innovation, efficiency, and transparency in health insurance delivery,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
