In the views of UNICEF Health Specialist with the Lagos field office, Dr Ijeoma Agbo, health insurance is a gateway to achieving UHC, adding that in 2021, almost 1 billion people spent more than 10 percent of their household budget on out-of-pocket health expenses in 2021, and more than half a billion were pushed into extreme poverty due to these out-of-pocket payments.
She also stated that the index report showed that in Nigeria, out-of-pocket expenditure as a share of current health expenditure was at the level of 76.2 percent in 2022, up from 71.9 percent in 2021.
“When we talk about good health services, we’re talking about all the services encompassing prevention, promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.”
Agbo, argues that health insurance is crucial for children’s health. With health insurance, children receive preventive care like vitamin A supplements and vaccinations, reducing the chance of illness. Additionally, if a child does get sick, the family has financial backing from the insurance to cover the costs.
She called on state governments to prioritise funding for the poor and vulnerable groups by dedicating one percent of the consolidated revenue to the scheme.
Agbo argued that health insurance protects pregnant women and their families. With health insurance, a pregnant woman can receive antenatal care and delivery services at no cost. This can lead to a continuum of care for the mother and child, including immunisations and vitamins.
Prenatal care also educates the mother on how to care for her baby, preventing potential health issues and reducing hospital stays. Overall, health insurance protects families from financial burden and time loss associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
