NHIA Taraba Sensitizes Stakeholders, Enrollees On New Health Insurance Reforms

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Taraba State chapter, has held a comprehensive stakeholders' engagement to enlighten participants on their roles in health insurance delivery and to sensitize enrollees on their rights under the new NHIA reforms.

The engagement, which took place at Doctors' House in GRA, Jalingo, was convened under the theme "Heralding a New Era of Health Insurance in Nigeria." It brought together key players in the health sector, including representatives of healthcare facilities, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), and enrollees, in what was described as an impactful and forward-looking dialogue aimed at strengthening access to quality and affordable healthcare.

In his opening remarks, the Taraba State Head of Service, Dr. Hamidu Ahmed Kara, commended Governor Agbu Kefas' administration for forging partnerships with relevant organizations to promote health insurance across the state. He said such collaborations are vital to reducing the financial burden of healthcare on ordinary citizens and ensuring that health services reach even the most vulnerable populations.

Dr. Kara further urged stakeholders to take ownership of their responsibilities under the scheme and work collectively to build a sustainable healthcare system that truly serves the people. According to him, the success of health insurance in Taraba will depend on the synergy between government, providers, and enrollees in fulfilling their roles.

On his part, the NHIA State Coordinator, Mallam Mohammed Aminu Ardo, described the forum as both a platform for reflection and a roadmap for shaping the future of health insurance in the country. He explained that the new NHIA reforms are designed to expand coverage, improve service delivery, and eliminate bottlenecks that have hindered the effectiveness of health insurance in Nigeria.

Ardo emphasized that achieving universal health coverage requires more than policy frameworks, stressing that the active commitment of all stakeholders is critical. "Excellence, transparency, and accountability must guide the operations of every actor in the health insurance space if we are to meet the needs of Nigerians," he noted.

Participants at the forum engaged in robust discussions on issues ranging from service quality and enrollee rights to accountability mechanisms within HMOs and healthcare facilities. Enrollees were educated on their entitlements, including access to essential drugs, proper medical consultations, and avenues to report grievances when service expectations are not met.

The forum was widely described as educative and impactful, leaving participants with a clearer understanding of their roles in making health insurance functional and reliable. Observers noted that the NHIA's proactive engagement with stakeholders reflects a renewed commitment to delivering sustainable and effective healthcare insurance in Taraba State, in line with national reforms.

Stakeholders resolved to continue dialogue, strengthen oversight, and ensure effective implementation of NHIA's reforms so that citizens of Taraba can fully benefit from the promise of universal health coverage.