The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has emphasized that no woman should suffer fatal consequences due to a lack of financial resources when faced with pregnancy-related emergencies. The authority has committed to ensuring that monetary issues do not impede access to critical maternal healthcare services.
Kelechi Ohiri, the Director-General of NHIA, made these remarks during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja last Friday.
Mr. Ohiri discussed a federal initiative aimed at providing financial protection for expectant mothers encountering serious complications during pregnancy or childbirth.
He stated that the newly introduced policy guarantees immediate treatment for women arriving at healthcare facilities with these complications, thereby eliminating the need for advance payments before care is administered.
"Essentially, we are making it clear that when a woman experiences complications during pregnancy and visits a hospital, financial concerns should not pose an obstacle," he remarked.
He also noted the common practice where patients are requested to pay upon arrival at hospitals. Often, if they are unable to afford the costs, their treatment is delayed or they are redirected elsewhere while scrambling to gather funds.
“This delay can lead to dire consequences, including death or severe health complications,” he warned.
Under the current program, certified health facilities are mandated to provide ambulance reports and treatment to these patients at no charge at the point of service. Subsequently, the NHIA will reimburse hospitals for the costs incurred in treating these individuals.
This emergency care initiative is part of the broader Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) which focuses on enhancing governance, finance, and quality throughout the national healthcare system.
Mr. Ohiri reiterated that the NHIA is integral to implementing these reforms and ensuring their effectiveness by broadening health insurance coverage while also improving regulation and strategic purchasing processes.
"The Authority is transitioning from mere reimbursement to strategic purchasing, where financial transactions with health service providers depend on their adherence to quality standards and accreditation," he elaborated.
He further explained that as part of these reforms, the criteria for provider participation are linked to accreditation, aiming to reinforce compliance in hospitals with high patient volumes. Additionally, the authority is digitizing accreditation and quality assessments utilizing the SafeCare platform.
"We've also deployed compliance officers and introduced a one-hour pre- authorization timeline, which ensures timely care for patients," he added.
He emphasized that tying reimbursement to established standards encourages hospitals to improve infrastructure, enhance personnel skills, upgrade data management systems, and bolster emergency obstetric services.
"When payments are tied to quality standards, healthcare providers are more inclined to invest in improvement efforts. Consequently, insurance can serve as a catalyst for quality enhancement, rather than merely as a financial backing," he stated.
Additionally, these reforms assist in tackling high maternal mortality rates by promoting better access to care for pregnant women experiencing complications at adequately equipped medical facilities.
Mr. Ohiri pointed out that by connecting accreditation with reimbursement for Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care services, the NHIA is enforcing minimum quality standards while channeling demand to appropriate hospitals.
“Maternal fatalities often arise from disjointed services, poor infrastructure, and inadequately equipped smaller facilities,” added Mr. Ohiri.
“By cultivating a market that rewards top-quality medical care, insurance can deter unsafe practices and enhance outcomes for mothers and newborns," he concluded.
Since launching the emergency maternal care initiative in October 2024, nearly 40,000 women across Nigeria have benefited from these services, according to reports.
“These women often arrive with serious complications such as severe hemorrhaging or requiring emergency cesarean sections. Upon their arrival at medical facilities, the care is rendered without any charge, with the NHIA subsequently reimbursing the hospitals for the treatments provided,” he explained.
Mr. Ohiri also highlighted the progress made in expanding health insurance coverage nationwide. He noted that between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2025, enrollment under NHIA programs surged by 34 percent, reaching approximately 21.7 million Nigerians.
The Director-General mentioned that five NHIA initiatives aimed at vulnerable groups are also assisting millions of underserved individuals, ensuring that they receive both financial protection and improvements in health services simultaneously.
He acknowledged that despite the achievements recorded, the reforms are intricate and necessitate ongoing political will, technical coordination, and time to achieve their full impact.
Concluding, Mr. Ohiri reaffirmed that these ongoing reforms are focused on strengthening equity, enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery, and broadening access to health services throughout Nigeria.
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