Health insurance complaints trigger N14m refunds, nine hospitals suspensions – NHIA

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has refunded over N14.2 million to insurance enrollees and suspended nine healthcare facilities after receiving complaints about services under the country's health insurance system. The NHIA also issued 368 warning letters to healthcare providers following the resolution of 3,878 complaints, according to a statement released by the agency on Sunday.

NHIA Director-General and CEO, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, revealed these figures during the inaugural Civil Society Organisation-Led Mid-Year Review of Nigeria's National Health Sector Reforms in Abuja. The agency has been strengthening patient protection, addressing the complaints and issuing warnings to ensure compliance with patient-protection and quality-of-care requirements.

Since the beginning of the current administration, national health insurance enrolment has increased from approximately 16 million to more than 23 million. Moreover, more than 2.7 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians have received support through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. The NHIA is moving beyond policy and legislation towards ensuring that insurance coverage translates into access to healthcare and financial protection.