The Health Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund, Dr Ijeoma Agbo, has called for more concerted efforts by relevant stakeholders to address systemic challenges in attaining Universal Health Coverage.
She stated this on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State, at a two-day media event organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the media dialogue has as its theme ‘Changing the narrative on Child Mortality through Health Insurance’.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Access to Health Insurance as a Way to Achieve Universal Health Coverage for all in Nigeria’, Agbo said that health insurance brings financial protection by reducing the burden of out-of-pocket expenses made by individuals and families.
The UNICEF health specialist, who noted that health insurance facilitates equitable distribution of healthcare resources, said it also promotes equity by ensuring that quality healthcare services become accessible to all persons, irrespective of their socio-economic status or geographical location.
Agbo said that state governments must dedicate a percentage of their consolidated revenue to health insurance schemes to fund premiums for the poor.
She further said that the government should invest more in the primary health care system, an approach that would be affordable to all and benefits packages that include the minimum basic essential health services.
Agbo added, “Health insurance enhances access to a wider range of healthcare services, including promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services.
