FLAWS CLAIMED IN NIGERIA HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

Groups representing Nigerian health sector workers and officials have cited a number of potential obstacles to the successful implementation of the country's new health insurance scheme. The so-called NIHS framework, which is to be introduced on a partial basis in May, will oblige all public officials to contribute 15% of salary towards health insurance, with two-thirds of this amount to be paid by the government.

Nevertheless, reports suggest that the new structure is likely to be unwieldy at best. The scheme's introduction has already been delayed three times, and there are concerns that it could breach a one-third of salary threshold on taxation and social contributions. Further, government employees complain that the system carries high overheads and offers few guarantees on the quality of healthcare provision. At present, coverage is also to be restricted to the contributor and a maximum of four dependants, a relatively small number in view of Nigeria's population profile, assuming patients can succeed in initially registering for the programme.