Urgent Health Matters: Hon. Osawaru Takes Bold Stand for NHIS Subscribers; Moves Motion on Poor Services and Challenges in Nigeria’s Health Insurance Scheme. House of Reps Takes Decisive Action

Urgent Health Matters: Hon. Osawaru Takes Bold Stand for NHIS Subscribers; Moves Motion on Poor Services and Challenges in Nigeria’s Health Insurance Scheme. House of Reps Takes Decisive Action

NASS // June 25, 2025

In a motion of urgent public importance, Hon. Chief Dr. Billy Famous Adesuwa Osawaru, who represents the good people of Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Federal Constituency at the Green Chambers of the National Assembly, has taken a decisive stand on the pressing issues facing Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).

Highlighting the critical role of health insurance in improving public health outcomes, Hon. Osawaru revisited the existing laws that established the NHIS and the core objectives it was meant to serve. He, however, expressed deep concern over the scheme's inefficiencies, citing key challenges such as poor coverage, inadequate funding, limited access to essential medications, and weak healthcare infrastructure.

He emphasized that these systemic issues have resulted in poor healthcare administration and substandard service delivery from many hospitals contracted by HMOs. Consequently, millions of Nigerians continue to suffer, unable to access the quality care they are entitled to under the scheme.

In his detailed presentation, Hon. Osawaru revealed that, despite the existence of the NHIS, only about 5% of Nigerians are currently covered. Even more troubling, he noted, is that this limited coverage fails to meet basic health needs with some common surgical procedures like caesarean sections and appendectomies often excluded from HMO contracts. As a result, many insured individuals are still forced to pay out of pocket for medical services that should have been covered.

Following his motion, the House of Representatives mandated the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to collaborate with its Committee on Healthcare Services. Their task will be to assess the impact of the scheme, identify the root causes of these persistent issues, and recommend actionable solutions to improve healthcare delivery for all Nigerians.

With this motion, Hon. Osawaru has again shown that he places the interests of the people in the top spot of his Legislative agenda, hence keeps championing improved welfare for his constituents and Nigerians at large.

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