Oko-Irese, Kwara State, Nigeria
February 27, 2024
In a bid to promote healthcare accessibility and affordability among students and staff, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) embarked on a sensitization visit to Thomas Adewumi University. The enlightening session took place at the University Auditorium, drawing the University Management, Deans, Heads of Departments, Staff, and Students alike.
The team of experts from NHIA delivered a comprehensive lecture aimed at familiarizing the University community with the intricacies of the Health Insurance Scheme. The event commenced with a brief opening remark by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Oladipo, who extended a warm welcome to the NHIA team. Prof. Francisca highlighted the University's commitment to STEM-i (Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine, and Innovations) education, and its unique position as the sole institution in the Kwara South Senatorial district that offers a medical programme. She emphasized the importance of the NHIA's visit in fostering partnerships for the welfare of both staff and students.
Mr. Wahab, a member of the NHIA team, took center stage to provide an overview of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), formerly known as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), outlining its objectives which primarily aim at delivering quality and affordable medical services to all Nigerians. He underscored the NHIA's mission to promote, integrate, and regulate Health Insurance towards achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
Following Mr. Wahab's presentation, Mrs. Usman Arinola delved into the various programmes under NHIA, notably the Tertiary Institution Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) and the Group Individual Family Social Health Insurance (GIFSHIP). TISHIP, tailored for tertiary institution students, encompasses both full-time and part-time students across Federal, State-owned, and Private institutions such as Universities, Polytechnics, Nursing Schools, and Colleges of Education. She elaborated on the programme's objectives, membership criteria, scope of coverage, committee composition, functions, benefits packages, and operational modalities.
Additionally, Mrs. Arinola shed light on GIFSHIP, which caters to groups, individuals, and families not enrolled in existing health insurance schemes. She highlighted the programme's objectives, contribution structure, and benefits packages, drawing distinctions between GIFSHIP and TISHIP.
The session concluded with an interactive Questions and Answers segment, allowing attendees to seek clarification and further insights on health insurance provisions and procedures.
The visit of the NHIA team to Thomas Adewumi University marks a significant step towards promoting healthcare inclusivity and ensuring the well-being of the university community through informed access to health insurance services.
