Court Orders Status Quo on NHIS Dispute

A Federal High Court in Abuja has advised the Executive
Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof
Yusuf Usman not to take further steps on the issues now before the
court.
Justice Anwuli Chikere gave the advice to the parties while fixing
date for commencement of hearing in the suit challenging the
alleged unilateral decisions of Prof Usman in the running of the
scheme.

The Incorporated Trustees of Health and Managed Care Association
of Nigeria, which is an umbrella body of over 30 health management
organisations in the country, is demanding an order of injunction
restraining the NHIS and the Executive Secretary from exercising
the powers of the Governing Council of the organization.

The HMOs, in the suit by their counsel, Victor Abasiakan-Ekim,
also wants the court to restrain the NHIS from changing the payment
schedule put in place by the Governing Council and from appointing
a sole insurance broker for the administration of the scheme.

Dr Tunde Ladele, the chairman of the association, had averred
that the Executive Secretary has demanded payment of capitation
fees, services fees and administrative charges on monthly basis, as
against quarterly basis earlier set by the Governing Council which
has been dissolved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He stated that by the decisions of the Executive Secretary the
association has “suffered loss and injustice.”

The suit has been adjourned to July 4 for hearing.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has advised the Executive
Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof
Yusuf Usman not to take further steps on the issues now before the
court.
Justice Anwuli Chikere gave the advice to the parties while fixing
date for commencement of hearing in the suit challenging the
alleged unilateral decisions of Prof Usman in the running of the
scheme.

The Incorporated Trustees of Health and Managed Care Association
of Nigeria, which is an umbrella body of over 30 health management
organisations in the country, is demanding an order of injunction
restraining the NHIS and the Executive Secretary from exercising
the powers of the Governing Council of the organization.

The HMOs, in the suit by their counsel, Victor Abasiakan-Ekim,
also wants the court to restrain the NHIS from changing the payment
schedule put in place by the Governing Council and from appointing
a sole insurance broker for the administration of the scheme.

Dr Tunde Ladele, the chairman of the association, had averred
that the Executive Secretary has demanded payment of capitation
fees, services fees and administrative charges on monthly basis, as
against quarterly basis earlier set by the Governing Council which
has been dissolved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He stated that by the decisions of the Executive Secretary the
association has “suffered loss and injustice.”

The suit has been adjourned to July 4 for hearing.