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SSHIAs ADVOCATE FOR THE STRENGTHENING OF UHC THROUGH POLITICAL COMMITMENTS.

The Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIAs) has advocated for State Governments to strengthen Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the nation.

The Forum, which made the call in a communique at the end of a 2-day maiden national summit that held from 8th  - 9th June,  in Akure,  Ondo, also demanded that there should be a mandatory Health insurance coverage for all residents of states of Nigeria.

The communique, read by the Director-General,  Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, also demanded that there should be an established law for the health insurance agency for the Federal Capital Territory so as to make it be in sync with those of other states in the federation.

The Forum which has the Executive Secretary of Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) as its Secretary General,  also asked for a clear legal framework that will ensure effective implementation of health insurance laws, opining that there is a need for a mandatory formal sector coverage for states and local government areas.

SSHIAs also demanded for the harmonisation of federal and subnational health insurance schemes with a strong legislative oversight and a firm political commitment to mandatory health insurance coverage for even those in the informal sector.

At the summit,  the participants also agreed that SSHIAs should adopt a mid financing module, which comprises government budgetary allocations,  mandatory health insurance contributions,  and targeted subsidies for the vulnerable groups. They asked for a consistent release of counterpart funds and equity funds by states,  while the agencies are to  come up with other other mechanisms for funding their programmes.

During the summit,  participants also urged SSHIAs to ensure that coverage expansion priorities,  inclusion of informal workers and rural population,  women,  children,  and people with disabilities,  simplified enrolment systems,  including digital platforms,  and community based structures should be deployed to improve access and reduce exclusion.

Also, in the course of the summit,  it was emphasised that primary health centres should serve as a foundation for service delivery, while the government's investment should focus on infrastructural brief,  essential medicine,  workforce development and strong referral system to ensure conformity and quality of care.

The very robust 2-day summit also encouraged the reforming of the provider payment system to improve efficiency and accountability and the reduction of fraud. 
The stakeholders also agreed that capitation and performance based models should be strengthened alongside timely re-imbursement mechanisms to maintain provider participation and reduced service disruption.

The maiden summit of SSHIA also dealt with matters that speak to robust data systems and monitoring frameworks, digital health information systems to support enrolment tracking,  claims management, performance monitoring,  continuous evaluation of independent oversight,  among others.

RIVCHPP Executive Secretary,  Dr.  Vetty Agala,  some  RIVCHPP board members and management staff, and some technical officers represented Rivers State at this all-important summit.

Idanye Oruigoni 
Head, Information/Public Relations Unit, 
RIVCHPP. 
13/06/2026.