By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Kwara State Health Insurance Agency, on Friday in Ilorin, announced an upward revision of the health insurance premiums among the enrollees in the state, effective from December 1, 2024.
The Executive Secretary, of the Agency, Dr. Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter, stated this during a news conference with newsmen.
She explained that the hike is to accommodate the rising costs of drugs, consumables, and provider payouts to continue providing high-quality healthcare services.
According to her, the number of enrollees has increased to 70,000 in the last two months due to inflation among the people.
She explained that informal sector premium is N15,500 per person per year, which is up from N6,000.
“Formal sector premium N18,000 per person per year (up from N9,000); family package (for a total of 6 members) for the informal sector: N75,000; family package (for a total of 6 members) for the formal sector: N87,000,” she said.
The executive secretary described the increment as a difficult decision for Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the agency, ” given the continuing economic hardships that many families face, and despite the result of the actuarial reviews done”.
She, however, said that the scheme needed to adjust the old premiums to accommodate the rising costs of drugs, consumables, and provider payouts to continue providing high-quality healthcare services.
Jetawo-Winter, said that reviews are supposed to be done every three years, and that the State had not reviewed in the last seven years since the initial analysis was done to commence implementation of the scheme.
She also said that the adjustments had been considered and implemented in most states in Nigeria long before now, especially after the COVID pandemic.
“Citing already existing premiums in neighboring states, Kogi state informal sector plan was already at a rate of N15,000 since the last four years, Ondo state’s individual plan is N18,000, also implemented years ago.
“The NHIA just increased all their drug and consumable tariffs and capitation to their providers. The pricing of these tariffs is derived from premiums, paid by enrolled beneficiaries.
“Kwara is the last state to adjust tariffs nationwide, while other states continue to review even after their already increased premiums,” she said.
The executive secretary pointed out the State Health Insurance remains one of the most affordable and reliable ways to access healthcare.
“The scheme ensures access to healthcare services for 365 days a year, covering registration, consultations, investigations, admissions, treatments, surgeries, drugs and consumables, etc. as outlined in the benefits package,” she said.
