Reps want FG to channel fuel subsidy savings to healthcare

In a motion titled “Call on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to cover vulnerable Nigerians,” the House of Representatives in Nigeria has urged President Bola Tinubu to allocate a portion of the savings generated from the removal of fuel subsidies to fund healthcare services for vulnerable populations.

Presented by Rep. Bashiru Dawodu (APC-Lagos) during a plenary session in Abuja, the motion highlights the critical need for improved access to quality and affordable healthcare services to achieve socio-economic development in the country.Dawodu stressed that universal health coverage is a key component of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda 2030, which was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2005.

However, despite the passage of 23 years since its adoption, only 5 million Nigerians are enrolled in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). This means that over 83 million vulnerable Nigerians, including pregnant women, children under five, persons with special needs, and the elderly, remain uncovered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).The lack of universal health coverage has led to a significant increase in out-of-pocket health expenditure, compounding the country’s healthcare crisis.

Rep. Dawodu argued that without achieving universal health coverage, Nigeria cannot resolve its healthcare crisis effectively.Dawodu cited the NHIA Act of 2022, which mandates health insurance for all citizens and legal residents but has struggled with implementation. He pointed out that in 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd spent ₦4 trillion on fuel subsidies, and ₦3.6 trillion was spent in the first six months of 2023.He estimated that it would cost approximately ₦5 billion to provide coverage for 5 million people annually at a rate of ₦5,000 per person.

As a result, the House of Representatives urged the NHIA to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the healthcare coverage. Additionally, they mandated the House Committees on Health Institutions and Finance to ensure compliance with the allocation of fuel subsidy savings for healthcare coverage.

This call from Nigerian Representatives underscores the critical importance of prioritizing healthcare accessibility, particularly for vulnerable populations, in the country’s socio-economic development efforts. Utilizing fuel subsidy savings to fund healthcare services can significantly benefit millions of Nigerians who currently lack access to affordable and quality healthcare. (NAN)