The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has called on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to develop a clear roadmap with measurable annual enrolment targets through 2030 to accelerate health insurance coverage and move Nigeria closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
According to The Guardian, members of the Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (BOF PSN) made the call during a press briefing ahead of the Board’s 2026 Mid Year Meeting and Eighth Public Lecture in Lagos.
The pharmacists noted that despite more than two decades since the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was introduced to reduce out of pocket healthcare spending and improve access to quality medical services, enrolment has remained significantly low.
They stressed that stronger government commitment, effective implementation strategies and wider stakeholder participation are essential to expanding health insurance coverage across the country.
Chairman of the 2026 Mid Year Meeting Planning Committee and Chairman of the Board of Fellows, Pharmacist Uchenna Uzoma Apakama, represented by Pharmacist Ignatius Anukwu, said the annual public lecture was introduced eight years ago to promote national discussions on critical healthcare issues and generate practical policy recommendations.
He said this year’s public lecture, scheduled for July 15, will focus on the theme, “Insurance Based Healthcare Financing, Key to Achieving Universal Health Coverage,” noting that the topic reflects concerns over the slow pace of health insurance enrolment despite the scheme’s existence for more than 20 years.
Meanwhile, healthcare experts have called for stronger policies, improved infrastructure and greater institutional support to ensure that Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital health ecosystem delivers better healthcare outcomes.
The experts made the call during the 2026 Annual Conference of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) in Lagos, themed “Driving Digital Innovation for a Healthier Nigeria.”
They observed that Nigeria’s digital health sector now has more than 120 active health technology startups, attracting over 271 million dollars in cumulative investment. However, they emphasised that innovation must lead to measurable improvements in healthcare delivery rather than simply demonstrating technological advancement.
Chairman of Access Holdings and a member of the PSHAN Board, Aigboje Aig Imoukhuede, said technology alone cannot transform healthcare without strong institutions and efficient systems.
According to him, millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with access to quality and affordable healthcare, making institutional reforms and sustainable investments essential to improving health outcomes.
Earlier, PSHAN’s Director of Policy and Programmes, Dr Anne Adah Ogoh, said the conference brought together policymakers, innovators, investors and development partners committed to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system through digital innovation.
Also speaking, Flutterwave Nigeria Country Head, Chizoba Okafor, described digital infrastructure as a critical component of healthcare transformation, noting that seamless digital payment systems are essential for making healthcare services more accessible, efficient and affordable for Nigerians.
Leave a comment