In response to ongoing concerns about the ownership of health maintenance organisations (HMOs), the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has urged Nigerians interested in this information to verify HMO ownership through relevant government agencies.
Director-general of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri shared this advice during an interview with journalists on Monday in Abuja. He emphasised the importance of using official channels to verify such claims rather than resorting to speculation.
Addressing concerns about potential conflicts of interest within the health insurance system, Ohiri stated, “There is freedom of information. If anyone is interested, they should visit the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to obtain the names of the directors of all HMOs.”
He reassured the public of the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in managing the country’s health insurance scheme. Ohiri reiterated NHIA’s dedication to regulating HMOs based on merit and compliance with national healthcare policies.
Accredited HMOs are vital in providing healthcare coverage for individuals, families and organisations. The NHIA ensures that only qualified and competent HMOs are licensed to operate, guaranteeing that enrollees receive necessary medical care without facing undue financial burdens.
Ohiri emphasized that individuals and organizations seeking to enroll in health insurance should verify the accreditation status of any HMO before engaging their services. For a complete list of accredited HMOs and further information, he directed the public to visit the NHIA’s official website at www.nhia.gov.ng.
Science Nigeria reports that stakeholders in the healthcare sector have called for enhanced scrutiny of HMOs to ensure their operations align with the NHIA’s mandate of providing quality and affordable healthcare services to Nigerians. Some health sector analysts suggest that greater transparency in HMO ownership could bolster public confidence in the health insurance scheme.
