By Esther Onyegbula

In a major push to expand access to affordable healthcare, key stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have launched the Inclusive Health Insurance Enrolment Programme (IHIEP), targeting vulnerable populations across selected states.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Global Health Charity and Training Foundation (GHCTF) in collaboration with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), aims to enrol indigent Nigerians into state-backed health insurance schemes while strengthening healthcare delivery across primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
Speaking at the official launch held at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Executive Director and Board Member of GHCTF, Dr. Adebayo Akintobi, said the programme leverages the expertise of Nigerian doctors in the diaspora to build local capacity and improve healthcare outcomes.

According to him, the foundation commenced groundwork for the initiative about three years ago, focusing on capacity building within Nigeria’s health institutions.

“This initiative is put together by the Global Health Charity and Training Foundation in collaboration with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria. Doctors in the diaspora are bringing their expertise back home to help build capacity among colleagues in secondary and teaching hospitals,” he said.

Akintobi disclosed that the foundation had earlier conducted a large-scale medical outreach at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, where 79 surgeries were successfully carried out across multiple specialties, including orthopaedic, cardiothoracic, urology and general surgery.

“In addition, about 50 gastro colonoscopies and endoscopies were conducted to screen for colon cancer. We also worked closely with medical students, resident doctors and consultants, helping to build sustainable capacity. Today, the hospital can perform hip replacement surgeries, which it could not do before,” he added.

He further revealed that community outreaches were conducted in Iperu, Sagamu, Owu, Ake and Abeokuta, where residents were screened for hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol and hepatitis.

“We provided two months of free medication for those diagnosed with medical conditions and enrolled about 2,000 individuals into the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme,” he said.

Also speaking, Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, described the programme as a significant intervention aimed at improving healthcare access for underserved populations.

“The Inclusive Health Insurance Enrolment Programme is a way of giving back, supported by a global charity organisation in collaboration with PSHAN. It is designed to encourage philanthropists to sponsor health insurance for vulnerable groups, particularly children under five, pregnant women, the elderly and rural dwellers,” she said.
Coker noted that the initiative aligns with ongoing national health reforms, stressing that health insurance remains a critical tool in achieving universal health coverage.

“Currently, less than five per cent of Nigerians are enrolled in health insurance. I encourage citizens to enrol through their nearest primary healthcare centres or state health insurance agencies. Health insurance guarantees access to quality care regardless of financial status,” she added.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, represented by Mr. Dipo Odewale, commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.
“Access to quality healthcare should not be a privilege for a few but a fundamental right for all. This initiative addresses longstanding gaps that have prevented vulnerable populations from accessing essential health services,” she said.

She underscored the importance of diaspora contributions, noting that knowledge transfer, investments and partnerships from Nigerians abroad are vital to strengthening the nation’s healthcare system.

Similarly, Director of Policy and Programmes at PSHAN, Dr. Anne Adah-Ogoh, emphasised the need for collective action to transform Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
“We all share a common goal—to see healthcare improve in Nigeria. We want better health indicators and a shift from the current status quo where Nigeria lags behind in global health indices,” she said.
She stressed that innovative thinking and multi-sectoral collaboration are essential to achieving meaningful progress.

“If we are to do things differently, we must adopt a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach. When we collectively lift this burden, improving healthcare outcomes becomes more achievable,” she added.

Adah-Ogoh explained that PSHAN mobilises private sector resources through its Health Alliance Trust Fund to support public health programmes.

“These resources are channelled into interventions that strengthen the healthcare system and ensure that every investment delivers measurable impact,” she said.
She highlighted PSHAN’s flagship Adopt-A-Primary Healthcare Facility Programme, which seeks to ensure that every Nigerian lives within five kilometres of a functional primary healthcare centre.

“If we strengthen primary healthcare, we can address up to 80 per cent of health challenges, reduce pressure on higher-level facilities and improve overall service delivery,” she noted.
According to her, the programme is currently operational in about 30 states, with plans to expand to all 774 local government areas nationwide.

The IHIEP is expected to commence implementation across participating states, with beneficiaries enrolled through accredited state health insurance schemes.

Other dignitaries at the event included representatives of the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako; the Lagos State Health Management Agency; and key players from the private health sector.