The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has inaugurated an 11- member governing council for the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, to be headed by a female paediatrician, Enyantu Ifenne.
According to a statement by Ayo Osinlu, the Head of Media and Public Relations Division, NHIS, Mrs Ifenne is a distinguished paediatrician with an impressive track of academic, professional and public advocacy accomplishments.
While addressing the management of the scheme, Mrs Ifenne acknowledged that the council members were familiar with the enormous challenges facing the organisation, and pledged its commitment to leading the process of resolving them.
She regretted that the scheme had been consistent in the news in recent times for unflattering reasons.
However, she promised to take full advantage of the resourcefulness and vast exposure of the members of the council to address all thorny issues within the ambit of the laws setting up the scheme.
Mrs Ifenne expressed grave concern that the primary purpose of the scheme, which was to make healthcare physically and financially available to all Nigerians, was becoming far-fetched.
Evidence of this, she said, was the unacceptably low coverage level, which must be addressed vigorously by all stakeholders.
She reminded all that every effort and activity within the operations of NHIS was the satisfaction of the enrollee and the quality of care available to him or her at the points of service.
Mrs Ifenne added that the dignity of every enrollee must be guaranteed and protected always in the health-seeking process.
The council boss further reiterated that it was important the legitimate interests of all stakeholders are respected for confidence building.
Mrs Ifenne also assured that she would lead the council to provide the platform and environment for inclusiveness at all times.
“I and my colleagues are in the scheme to soothe frayed nerves, heal wounds and inspire all to bond around the obvious common commitments that we have.
“As a mother, I appeal to all to drop the swords, relax the muscles, engage the minds and let’s get down to work,’’ she appealed.
Mrs Ifenne also promised that her council would direct the operations of the scheme with due observance of transparency and accountability, to restore public confidence in the corporate integrity of NHIS.
She further assured all of fairness and equity at all times, adding that the council will work hard to raise the stakes for the scheme including leading high-level advocacies to various zones of the country.
Welcoming the governing council, the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Usman Yusuf, expressed confidence that the council would offer the scheme `a fresh breath of air’, by dousing tension in the system and leading the way forward.
Mr Yusuf solicited the support and cooperation of management and staff of the scheme for the council, to facilitate their constructive interventions and leadership.
Other members of the council present at the event were Lekan Ewenla, representing the Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria, and Bassey Otu.
Others are Joy Josaiah for the Nigeria Labour Congress; Samson Rufai and Nasir Adamu, representing the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
NAN
