By Abubakar Yusuf.
The Pioneer Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja and former Chief Medical Director, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria, Professor Abdulmumin Rafindadi has proposed the complete overhaul of the National Health Insurance Authority NHIA coverage from the current ten percent to a more realistic one in view of the current economic downturn.
He also admonished on complete downward review of the yearly access by Nigerians from 50,000 , saying larger families may find it difficult for a durable assessment.
Rafindadi who was the guest speaker at this year’s Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of federal Tertiary Hospitals CCMDFTH held at Jabi in Abuja on Thursday.
During his presentation of his topic with it’s theme, “Sustaining Quality Tertiary Health Care Delivery in a Challenging Economy ” He asked the tertiary heatlh institutions to devise more professional ways of disposing their wastes to avoid recircling of ailments.
He expressed worries that with the prevailing economic situations, access to health by ordinary Nigerians should be prioritized.
The renowned academic and medical expert compared the National Health Insurance coverage in Nigeria to Ghana that had achieved 60% coverage , asking authorities in Nigeria to understudy Ghana on the positive development.
“I don’t think there is anything too bad in understudying Ghana and their success story in National Health Insurance coverage realising 60%, so there is news for Nigeria to ponder over it.”
On the issue of 50,000 access by individuals, “it will be difficult for a family of ten to be able to access such facilities on a yearly basis. How will the family be able to mop up 500,000 to access quality health care in the country, we also need a wholistic review.”
