The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, pledged on Friday that the National Health Insurance Scheme would be extended to cover all Nigerians.

Tambuwal made the pledge at the opening of the National Executive Council meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and unveiling of the Face of Healthy Living in Nigeria in Sokoto.

“A situation where only a paltry six per cent of Nigeria’s population is covered by the NHIS should no longer stand. “Accordingly, the National Assembly would seek ways and means of extending the NHIS coverage to reach, especially the vulnerable groups within the society, in the current amendment process of the NHIS act.

“We call upon the NMA for partnership so we can be availed of the benefits of professional expertise. “This call for informed professional input also stands for all other health-related legislations receiving attention at the National Assembly,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Tambuwal as saying at the forum. He commended the leadership of the association for its “unparalleled commitment to nation building and advancement of the health of Nigerians.”

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, lauded the association for keeping faith with the “Asaba declaration” of near zero tolerance to the issue of strikes in the health sector. “This was amply demonstrated when the NMA mobilised doctors and all other health workers who did not join the JOHESU strike to maintain services,” he noted.


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