The Federal Government has called on Nigerians in the Diaspora to actively contribute to rebuilding the nation’s healthcare system through targeted investments, innovative solutions and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
The appeal was made by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate during the official launch of the Diaspora Health Hub, a new mobile platform, on Tuesday in Abuja. The platform is designed to facilitate greater engagement between Nigerians abroad and the domestic health sector.
Pate urged Nigerians living overseas to channel their expertise, networks and financial resources into strengthening the country’s healthcare infrastructure, advancing medical technologies and improving service delivery.
“We need not only capital but also your global connections and networks to bring in investors who can help us build hospitals, develop diagnostic kits, medical devices, biologics, vaccines and digital tools,” Pate said.
Drawing inspiration from global examples, he referenced the successful development models of countries like China and India, which effectively mobilised their diasporas to support national growth and technological advancement.
“Nigeria is our home, and the diaspora has a pivotal role to play in building a stronger and more prosperous nation,” the minister emphasized.
Director-general of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri explained that the new diaspora-focused health insurance initiative is aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians, who are often primary beneficiaries of remittances sent by relatives abroad.
He noted that rather than waiting until health emergencies arise, the initiative empowers diaspora members to proactively prepay health insurance plans through accredited Nigerian Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs).
“This ensures that their loved ones have access to regular health checkups and emergency care without delays or fears of funds being diverted,” Ohiri explained.
Beyond immediate benefits to families, he said the initiative will help close Nigeria’s healthcare financing gap by using innovative technology to engage the diaspora as active participants in expanding health coverage for underserved populations.
Ohiri further announced that the NHIA had introduced measures to eliminate the bureaucratic delays that often frustrate patients covered under health insurance plans.
“We cannot allow bureaucracy or inefficiencies to cost lives. The patient must always come first,” he stated firmly.
To this end, the NHIA has introduced a policy mandating that HMOs respond to treatment authorisation requests within one hour. Failure to comply will result in the HMO bearing the treatment cost directly.
Ohiri revealed that a timestamp-based monitoring system will track compliance, empowering hospitals to proceed with treatment if HMOs do not respond promptly. In such instances, the NHIA will step in to ensure the hospital is paid while holding the defaulting HMO accountable.
Also speaking at the event, chairman of the Africa Diaspora Corporation, Dr. Joachim Okafor officially unveiled the Diaspora Health Hub mobile platform. He described it as a transformative tool that enables Africans abroad to directly subscribe to health insurance plans for their loved ones back home.
“This initiative will relieve the financial burden on families and remove the anxiety that often surrounds medical emergencies. A healthy nation is indeed a wealthy nation,” Okafor said.
He explained that the platform primarily targets households in the informal sector, which are often excluded from conventional health coverage schemes.
Science Nigeria reports that the Diaspora Health Hub is expected to inject over $40 billion annually into African economies through indirect investment in healthcare. The platform positions the African diaspora as a vital force in driving inclusive and sustainable healthcare development across the continent.
