SGF receives NHIS investigative panel report

Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation
on Monday in Abuja received the report of the Presidential
Independent Fact-Finding Panel on National Health Insurance
Scheme.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a seven-member panel was
inaugurated in November to investigate the conflict that engulfed
the NHIS and led to the suspension of its Executive Secretary,
Prof. Usman Yusuf.

Mustapha said that the government’s decision and recommendations
of the panel would be made public at the appropriate time.

He said that NHIS was critical in enabling government to deliver
on its promise of qualitative and affordable health care to
Nigerians.

He noted that healthcare delivery was a cardinal programme in
which huge investments had been made because a healthy nation was a
wealthy nation.

“I am delighted to receive the report of the panel on NHIS from
the Chairman and members who were assigned to look at the immediate
and remote causes of the conflict that engulfed the NHIS.

“The panel was earlier given two weeks to submit its report; it
was, however, extended due to the nature of the work and the need
to address core issues.

“I receive this report with deep sense of appreciation and I
assure you that the report would be expeditiously processed for
implementation,’’ he said.

Mustapha also thanked the panel for their various sacrifices in
ensuring that the scheme was sustained and remained beneficial to
all Nigerians.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Panel, Dr Bukar Hassan, said
the report contained a set of recommendations that could be
considered for short, medium and long-term implementation.

Hassan called for urgent attention to the key
recommendations.

He explained that the panel extended the period for the
submission of the report because of the quantum of the documents
that had to be perused and the need to be fair.

“In the course of the work, the panel had to interface with
stakeholders including the Minister of Health, the Permanent
Secretary, Chairman of Governing council, Unions, the National
Assembly, among others.

“It is our belief and aspiration that our recommendations will
reposition the scheme and proffer solutions to the challenges that
have hindered the scheme in achieving its laudable objectives,’’ he
said.

Prof. Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health said that the ministry
would find the report very useful in achieving its mandate.

Adewole, who was represented by Mr Abdulaziz Abdullahi,
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, thanked the panel
for judiciously carrying out the assignment.

(NAN)

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