The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the newly signed National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022.

This is contained in a statement issued by Omini Oden, a spokesperson for the NSCC, on Saturday in Abuja.

Mr Oden quoted the director-general of the NSCC, Emem Omokaro, as saying that the new act was a springboard and backbone to the National Senior Citizens Centre, NPHCDA and WHO-Nigeria MOU on mainstreaming Geriatric care into Primary HealthCare to ensure Integrated Care for Older Persons (ICOPE).

“Dr Omokaro commends the foresightedness of President Muhammadu Buhari for actualising it, thus repealing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Act which has been in existence since 2004.

“Of particular note, she said, is the concern for the vulnerable and creation of the vulnerable group fund that will ensure that over eighty-three million Nigerians who cannot afford to pay health insurance premiums are catered for,” he said.

Mr Buhari, on May 19, signed into law the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022, repealing thereby the National Health Insurance Scheme Act, Cap N42, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Announcing on his verified Twitter handle, Mr Buhari said that the new law was part of his administration’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage for Nigerians.

He said that the authority would collaborate with the state government’s health insurance schemes by empowering them (state governments) to accredit primary and secondary healthcare facilities and ensure the enrollment of Nigerians in the scheme.

(NAN)