Civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory have welcomed the approval of a new health maintenance organisation (HMO) for civil servants by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan.
In separate interviews with the media over the weekend in Abuja, several civil servants expressed their support for this initiative.
The Federal Government has introduced a new Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) specifically tailored for civil servants, titled Federal Civil Service Health Maintenance Limited.
This announcement was made by Yemi-Esan through the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana.
The creation of the HMO was approved by President Bola Tinubu, signaling the government’s acknowledgment of the vital role played by its workforce.
She stressed the importance of this initiative, emphasising its role in safeguarding the health and providing peace of mind to civil servants.
Unlike existing HMOs like the NHIS, which cater to servicemen and their dependents, the new scheme aims to enhance healthcare delivery specifically for Federal Civil Servants.
She urged civil servants to embrace this new scheme, highlighting its potential to usher in a new era of healthcare provision.
Mr. John Oladipo from the Ministry of Steel expressed his excitement about the proactive steps taken by the head of service to secure the health of civil servants and their families.
Oladipo noted that HMOs offer a structured and efficient approach to healthcare that aligns well with the needs of all civil servants.
Mrs. Mercy Adeojo from the Ministry of Youths and Sports highlighted the need for a comprehensive campaign to promote the advantages of HMOs.
Adeojo said that HMOs could improve access to healthcare services, reduce out-of-pocket expenses, and enhance preventive care. She shared her frustration about contributing to health insurance without benefiting from it.
She cited her sister’s positive experience with an HMO in the private sector and expressed hope that the new HMO initiative would bring similar benefits to civil servants.
“HMOs are designed to provide a range of medical services through a network of doctors, hospitals, and healthcare providers,” Adeojo said. “This move by the head of service will bring respect to us all.”
Mr. Johnson Ekele from the Ministry of Water emphasised the importance of focusing on preventive care and early intervention.
Ekele expressed hope that the HMO would aim to keep members healthy and reduce the need for more expensive treatments in the future.
However, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate expressed surprise at this announcement, indicating that the matter was far from being concluded.
On his X handle, he reiterated the administration’s focus on expanding financial protection for all Nigerians, not just a privileged few.
Recall that the Presidential Committee chaired by the former vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN recommended and directed the Head of Civil Service to establish the HMO.
The Presidential Health Reform Committee Health Reform Report and draft Bills to former president, Muhammadu Buhari read in part “The National Health Insurance Authority will no longer manage Federal civil servants’ health insurance contributions”.
The premium contributions by Federal civil servants are currently managed by the NHIA which acts as the health maintenance organisation (HMO) for the Federal civil service.
“The Federal civil service is the only entity amongst Federal workers without its own HMO (all other Federal institutions such as the armed forces, police, customs and immigration have all established their own HMOs).
“Under the current arrangement, upon retirement, Federal civil servants lose their cover in spite of their career-long premium contributions. The contributions of Federal civil servants have been a major source of distraction to the regulatory and UHC responsibilities of the NHIA.
“For the NHIA to strengthen its regulatory capacity, this report recommends that the Federal Civil Service establishes its independent HMO.
“This report further recommends that the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) begins the immediate implementation of the process to establish its own independent HMO. The HMO will work towards accreditation by the NHIA.
Also, the National Assembly also unanimously directed the head of services to establish a HMO for civil servants.
