Health

FG Expands Health Insurance to Combat Obstetric Fistula Nationwide

FG Expands Health Insurance to Combat Obstetric Fistula Nationwide

The federal government has intensified efforts to improve healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations in Nigeria, unveiling key initiatives to combat obstetric fistula.

Plans include expanding health insurance coverage for affected women, increasing the number of fistula care centers beyond the current 18, and leveraging governmental mechanisms to address the issue more comprehensively.

Additionally, the government is training 15 fistula specialists through the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) to bolster expertise across three levels of care. These developments were disclosed on Thursday in Abuja during the Steering Committee meeting of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Fistula-Free Programme, chaired by Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate.

Highlighting the program’s impact, Prof. Pate stated: “This problem has always been there, but this is the first time the government is addressing it, and NHIA has shown that, against all skepticism, Nigeria can work.”

NHIA Director General, Kelechi Ohiri, revealed that ₦513,624,745.00 has been spent on treating 1,629 women with fistula emergencies since the program’s launch six months ago.

He stated: “About 1,629 beneficiaries have been verified, paid for, between the last six months of the launch to date. But, that’s just the number that we have verified and paid for. The number of claims submitted is about 1,898. And as more awareness about the programme gets out there, we hope that there will be no woman with a fistula who will miss out.”

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The program adopts a holistic three-step approach: resolving fistula-related morbidities, enrolling beneficiaries in health insurance, and providing post-treatment follow-up for sustained healthcare access.

It also covers associated costs like feeding, transportation, and post-care reintegration, ensuring comprehensive care.

The Seamless Obstetric Emergency Management Program (SeaMaC), a sister initiative, has treated 2,819 women with obstetric emergencies since its inception, with 899 claims processed so far. NHIA currently partners with 42 healthcare facilities and plans to scale up to cover all tertiary and select secondary healthcare facilities.

Plans are underway to involve state governors, the Ministry of Women Affairs, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), and USAID to ensure program sustainability.

Looking ahead, NHIA aims to deepen awareness campaigns, expand the reach of the Fistula-Free Program and SeaMaC, and strengthen partnerships to ensure no woman in Nigeria is left without care. In Ohiri’s words: “The programs aim to not only restore health but also address the social and economic challenges faced by beneficiaries, ensuring they are fully reintegrated into their communities.”

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