Health reforms should show results, save lives — NHIA boss

National Health Insurance Authority chief Dr Kelechi Ohiri has stated that health innovations must result in tangible improvements for Nigerians, warning that policies and technology alone are insufficient without proper implementation. At the 2026 Future of Health Conference in Abuja, Ohiri highlighted efforts that have enabled thousands of women to access emergency childbirth care without upfront payments.

The National Health Insurance Authority's emergency obstetric care programme has benefited about "19,000 women in the past 18 months, while approximately 300 hospitals were accredited to provide treatment under the initiative." Ohiri explained that the intervention aimed to prevent avoidable deaths resulting from delays in accessing emergency treatment, especially when families struggle to raise funds for hospital deposits.

The authority has also worked with partners to provide treatment for obstetric fistula, benefiting approximately "6,000 women." Ohiri emphasized that the success of these programs should be measured by their impact on people's lives, not merely the delivery of speeches or the announcement of policies. He argued that Nigeria needs to transition beyond conventional healthcare delivery and financing approaches, particularly as changes in the global health landscape expose the risks of relying heavily on external funding.