Nigeria's National Health Insurance Scheme: a critical reappraisal.

Abstract

For well over four decades, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) remained on the drawing board. It is now a little over half a decade since the actual commencement of the implementation of the scheme. This review, therefore, chronicles the historical background to the introduction of the scheme, highlighting the main objectives and critically re-appraising the extent of realization of these objectives and mandates. This was essentially through the review of all available relevant literature from the NHIS Headquarter and Google search. In the process, factors militating against smooth operation of the scheme were identified and important solutions were also proffered. The review concluded by emphasizing the desirability of the NHIS and the need for all hands to be on the deck if only the scheme is to realize its mandate of efficient, effective and qualitative health care for all Nigerians.