– As Sanda fetes ‘Mama Health Insurance’ at 80
Dr Umar Sanda, president of Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), has called on the leadership of National Health Insurance Scheme to sanction defaulting members and health management organisations (HMOs).
Rising from the association’s 13th annual general meeting (AGM) held at Sickle Cell Foundation Centre, Idi Araba, Lagos on 14 December, 2017, Sanda explained that providers were displeased that what was meant to be pre-paid capitation was gradually metamorphosing into post-paid which contravened the NHIS Act.
“HCPAN therefore solicits that, as earlier done when the scheme first started, HMOs should be paid quarterly for it to trickle down to providers. This ought to be the way to go. We also appeal that oversight functions, which include monitoring of both HMOs and providers, be implemented by the NHIS. Anybody found wanting in this regard should be sanctioned,” he stated.
Sanda further noted that since it was in nobody’s interest for the health insurance scheme to fail, all stakeholders, particularly HMCAN and HCPAN, must be in constant dialogue.
“Let us resuscitate both the bilateral and tripartite meetings and find solutions. Already, we have a directory of providers all over the federation. It will go a long way to assist all stakeholders, including the general public. Although we have many hurdles to cross in achieving a team, it is surmountable with open attitude and feeling of mutual respect,” he stressed.
The HCPAN president equally made a clarion call on the executive and the legislative arms of both state and federal governments to find solution to the slow pace of health insurance in Nigeria.
According to him, the economic security of the country was being frustrated by lack of access to good health.
In a related development, the immediate past president of HCPAN, Princess (Dr) Adenike Olaniba, popularly called ‘Mama Health Insurance’, has charged all health professionals to work together towards a health system that Nigerians will be proud of.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of an award plaque and a birthday cake to Mama Health Insurance, shortly before the AGM. Another award recipient at the event was Pharm. Lere Baale, director, Business School, Netherlands, who also doubled as the keynote speaker.
In attendance at the event were Dr Anthony Omolola, immediate past president, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN); Pharm. Peter Iliya, director of public relations, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN); Dr Aina Ademola, chairman, Lagos HCPAN; Dr Ebijuwa Awala, representing NHIS acting executive secretary; and Akujuobi Igwe, HCPAN national financial secretary.
