Expansion
By Abujah Racheal
Abuja, Jan. 5, 2026 (NAN) Health experts say expanding mandatory health insurance nationwide could significantly improve access to quality healthcare and protect Nigerians from catastrophic medical spending, but warn that implementation gaps may limit its overall impact.
The experts, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, said the policy represented a major shift toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), but required stronger equity, trust and service delivery.
A health economist based in Lagos, Dr Abigail Banji, said Nigeria still recorded one of the highest out-of-pocket health spending rates globally, forcing many families into financial hardship.
Banji noted that many Nigerians delayed hospital visits or resort to self-medication because they couldn’t afford treatment.
“Expanding insurance coverage helps people pay before illness occurs, rather than at the point of care.
“That is how households are protected from catastrophic health expenditure,” she said.
She added that improved coverage could encourage earlier health-seeking behaviour and reduce preventable deaths.
A Consultant with Digital Health, Dr Ibrahim Amadou, said insurance schemes only protected citizens when benefit packages were adequate and consistently available.
“Protection becomes weak if people still have to buy drugs out-of-pocket or pay different charges at facilities,” he said.
Amadou noted that treatment for chronic and high-cost conditions such as cancer, kidney disease and advanced diabetes still imposed heavy financial burdens on many families.
A Public Health Expert, Dr Abdulrahman Musa, said some insured patients complained of delays and additional charges at health facilities.
Musa said stronger regulation and monitoring were needed to ensure enrollees received entitled services.
“Insurance must go hand-in-hand with improved quality of care. People should experience dignity, respect and timely treatment,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Maimuna Abdullahi, Health Economist and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), called for stronger consumer protection and complaint-resolution mechanisms.
Abdullahi said some patients reported denial of services and unexplained co-payments.
“There must be clear accountability mechanisms so that no Nigerian is cheated,” she said.
NAN reports that Nigeria has historically relied heavily on out-of-pocket healthcare payments, contributing to widespread financial hardship and poor health outcomes
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru