NHIA Act: Remove health workers from core civil service for proper implementation – Sen Oloriegbe
By Fatima Saka
The Chairman of Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central) is championing the removal of health workers in Nigeria from core civil service for proper implementation of the National Health Insurance Authority Act (NHIA), which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari recently.
Sen. Oloriegbe made this known on Monday, during an interaction with medical experts and journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja.
He explained that the Act which he sponsored as a private bill and was passed by the two chambers and assented to by the president was tagged “Buhari Care Bill”.
Speaking on, he said the motive of the Act is to ensure that Nigerians have access medical facilities nationwide.
According to him, “Health human resource is a very critical challenge” in Nigeria and can only be tackled if health care providers are given special remuneration packages different from the core public service model.
Sen. Oloriegbe, a medical doctor by profession was full of gratitude to God, also commended the Senate President, his counterpart (Chairman on Health) in the House of Representatives, Hon Tanko Sununu, World Health Organisation, past and present Executive Secretaries of National Health Insurance Sheme and other stakeholders in the health sector for this new law which God has used him to sponsor.
He said he has been championing reforms in the health sector long before he was elected into the upper chamber of the National Assembly in 2019, adding that for strict implementation of National Health Insurance Authority Act (NHIA), he and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Hon Tanko Sununu.
Sen. Oloriegbe said the passion deployed by stakeholders in the health sector in seeing to the passage of the bill and assent by President Buhari , will be deployed into its strict implementation through effective oversight.
“We still have one year to continue to provide service for the citizens of this country. Within that time we will do our best to make sure that the very important bill is implemented.
”As the two of us are seeking reelection, we hope we will be reelected. Whatever is the outcome, we would definitely make sure that the implementation comes to fruition.” He said.
“It is part of the commitment that I’m here today. We are currently in the heat of campaign activities for primaries. I say this is a national assignment and this is service to Nigeria.
“I had to leave my campaign and flew in and I will be flying back to Ilorin, my base , to continue with my campaign.
“My colleague in the House of Representatives is also busy campaigning for reelection.
“We are very committed to this. We are looking at the 2022 budget of the NHIA to see how we could make some amendments to it to see that the Act is implemented.” He added.
He also explained that the Act has provided an opportunity for all Nigerians to have health insurance.
“Every person resident in Nigeria, by provisions of this Act , is expected to obtain health insurance and by extension, have access to health care services .
“In achieving this , the Act in section 25, makes provision for vulnerable group funds with clear five sources of funding.” He said.
