The Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Kelechi Ohiri, says the Authority’s ongoing reforms are guided by President Bola Tinubu’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRII), a policy framework designed to transform Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.
Ohiri made this known in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NHIA and the Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM).
According to him, the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative focuses on four key pillars: strengthening service delivery, improving health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and enhancing health security.
“Our goal is not about how big the hospitals are or how much we spend; it is about how citizens are treated and the quality of care they receive,” he said.
Ohiri reaffirmed that the NHIA’s mandate is to ensure financial access to quality and affordable healthcare, stressing that no Nigerian should face financial hardship because of medical expenses.
He explained that the NHIA is restructuring its systems to make healthcare services more people-centred and results-driven, while improving accountability and responsiveness across health facilities.
He noted that the Authority is collaborating with SERVICOM to enhance citizen satisfaction, ensure timely resolution of complaints, and uphold service standards in both public and private health institutions under the NHIA.
“This partnership with SERVICOM is very timely, especially as we celebrate Customer Service Week.
“It reaffirms our joint commitment to ensuring that Nigerians receive the dignity, respect, and quality they deserve when accessing care,” he said.
Ohiri expressed optimism that the collaboration would mark a turning point in public service delivery, stating that citizen experience must remain the true measure of success in healthcare.
In his remarks, Mr Anthony Oshin, National Coordinator of SERVICOM, commended the NHIA for embedding service excellence within its reform process.
Oshin described the collaboration as a model for inter-agency partnership aimed at restoring public trust in government health services.
“This partnership is a step toward restoring public confidence in healthcare delivery. It shows that government agencies can work together to serve Nigerians better,” he said.
He reaffirmed SERVICOM’s commitment to supporting the NHIA in promoting transparency, accountability, and improved feedback mechanisms in hospitals nationwide.
StarReporters reports that the HSRII, launched by President Tinubu in December 2023, provides a unified framework for driving investment, innovation, and efficiency across the health system.
The initiative seeks to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of income or location, has access to equitable, affordable, and high-quality healthcare. Through its reforms, the NHIA aims to expand health insurance coverage, promote financial risk protection, and deliver measurable improvements in citizens’ well-being.
(NAN)