Evaluation of National Health Insurance Scheme: Benefits and Challenges in Eastern Nigeria

Download Article


Authors : Mgbe Chinenye Glory, Dr. Kevin E. M

Abstract:

National health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is a health care scheme that was by established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2005 for better healthcare delivery to its populace. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of Enugu East Federal Government Staff in Nigerian enrolled in the scheme, their satisfaction with the quality and availability of services rendered within the scheme and the factors that were responsible for the dismal health indices in the country despite the use of the scheme.  Indebt Questionnaires were administered randomly to 200 out of 212 respondents that access healthcare in Esut Teaching Hospital in Enugu East metropolis.

The findings show that only 57% of adults were enrolled in the scheme, 87% were satisfied with their health improvement with the scheme. Notably, 93% of enrolled respondents were aware of NHIS. There was some level of dissatisfaction in the scheme (26% of enrollees). Sources of dissatisfaction included delays in receiving required services and unavailability or non coverage of some required services. It was statistically determined using Chi Square tool of analysis that there was a direct relationship between the percentage of enrollees and the poor health indices of the populace. We strongly recommend for an improvement in accessibility and availability of quality drugs for a better health to NHIS client and as well as improved coverage quality of services within the scheme. Also there should be a modification in the existing policy by improve NHIS through creating special hospital for the scheme’s patient. This may further improve the undue protocol encountered by this research. 

References:

[1.] Adeniyi, A.A and Onajole A.T (2010). The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). A Survey of Knowledge and Opinions of Nigeria Dentist In Lagos. African Journal of Medicine and Medical Science 39.1:29-35. Retrieved Jan 7, 2011 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.gov/pubmed.

[2.] Agba, A.M.O., Ushie, E.M. and Osuchuchwu, N.C.(2010). National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and Employee’s Access to Health Services in Cross River State. Nigeria’s Global journal of human social science 10.7 pp retrieved; June 2011.

[3.] Akande T.M, Bello O (2002) National Health Insurance Scheme in Nig. Medilor J. 7(1).

[4.] Broyles, W. R. Manga, P., Binder, D.A., Angus, D. A., Charette, D.(1983).The use of physician’s Service under the National Health Insurance Medicare 21.111037-1054 Retrieved Dec 12,2010 from http://www.jstor.com.

[5.] Eboh, D. (2008). National Health Insurance Scheme: Just A Name Or A Model For Realistic Change In Health Care Delivery In Nigeria. Retrieved March 12, 2011 from http://www.mebodomanagement.com

[6.] Iloh G.U, Ofoedu J.N, Njoku P.U, Odu F.U, Ifedigbo C.V & Iwuamanam K.D(2012) : evaluation of patients’ satisfaction with quality of care provided at the National Health Insurance Scheme clinic. Nigeria Journal of Clinical Practice,15:469-474.

[7.] NHIS: National health insurance scheme operational guidelines. National Health Insurance Scheme Abuja, Nigeria; 2005. Onuekwisi, N. and Okpala, C.O. (1998). Awareness and Perception of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) among Nigerian Health Care Professors. Journal of Health College of Medicine 3.2.97-99

[8.] Onyedibe, Goyit and Nnadi (2012).  :an evaluation of National Health Insurance Scheme clinic. Global Advanced Research  Journal of microbiology,1:005-012.

[9.] Osungbade K.O,Obembe T.A and Abidemi O. (2014): user’s satisfaction with services provided under National Health Insurance Scheme in South Western Nigeria: International Journal of Tropical disease and health 4(5) : 595-607.

[10.]   Owumi, B. E. (2002). The political economy of maternal and child health in Arica In Isiugo-Abanihe U. C., Isamah A. N., Adesina J. O. (eds) Currents and perspectives in Sociology. Malthouse Press Limited, p. 227-239.

[11.]   Sanusi, R.A and Awe A.T (2009). Perception of National Health Insurance Scheme NHIS By Healthcare Consumers In Oyo State, Nigeria: Pakistan Journal Of Social Service. 6.1 48-53.