The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), has applauded the signing into law of the National Health Insurance Authority Bill 2022 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
NSCC also expressed delight that the new Act will ensure full health coverage for all Nigerians including Older Persons at all levels.
The Director General of the NSCC, Dr Emem Omokaro who made this known in a statement signed by the Head, Corporate Affairs, Media and Communication, Omini Oden, said the new Act is a spring board 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 commended the foresightedness of President Muhammadu Buhari for actualizing 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 83 million Nigerians who cannot afford to pay Health Insurance premiums are catered for.
The new National Health Insurance Authority will collaborate with state governments to accredit primary and secondary healthcare facilities as well as ensure the enrollment of Nigerians.
The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency on achieving Integrated Care for Older Persons, Mainstreaming Geriatric Care and Geriatric Home Help into Primary care system in Nigeria, an outcome of a two day National Workshop on Integrated Care for Older Persons Organized by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria.
