By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

The National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA) and the Osun State Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA) have been urged to expand coverage to include children living with cancer and sickle cell disease, in a bid to ease the financial burden on affected families.

The call was made by Lion Kayode Faniran, Service Chairperson of the Igbajo Achievers Lion Club, during the club’s advocacy visit to the health insurance agency offices in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Faniran explained that the visit aimed to advocate for policies that improve healthcare access for vulnerable children. “We are here today to encourage the inclusion of children living with cancer and sickle cell anemia in NHIS coverage,” he said.

He noted that while NHIA currently provides some interventions for cancer patients of all ages, there is a need for expanded and comprehensive support specifically for children. “We are advocating for full coverage to help alleviate the challenges faced by parents caring for children with these conditions,” Faniran added.

Agunbiade Musa, Head of Programs at the NHIA Osogbo Office, said the Federal Government has developed several interventions through NHIA to support cancer patients across all age groups. He also confirmed that individuals living with sickle cell anemia are covered under the scheme if they are properly enrolled.

Dr. Razaq Akindele, Executive Secretary of OSHIA, noted that the agency’s current packages do not yet cover these areas, but emphasized that the possibility of exploring such coverage in the future is not excluded.