The National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, has released funds for payment of three months capitation and fee-for-service for all those who enrol for the scheme.
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The Executive Secretary of NHIS, Mohammed Sambo, while making this known on Friday, advised Nigerians not to panic, assuring that the pandemic can be defeated.
Sambo explained that from April to June, 2020, all NHIS enrollees could visit their health centres and demand for services without any hitch.
He said the payment was made to ensure enrollees enjoyed stable health services during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that NHIS was working with the Federal Ministry of Health and State Health Insurance Agencies with the support of the World Health Organisation, the Department for International Development and other international agencies to develop a social insurance response against the Coronavirus epidemic.
Sambo also stated that the move became necessary in order to finally address the global catastrophe that crippled several economies across the world.
He explained that in line with the core mandate of NHIS, it has been integrated into joining hands with the Federal Ministry of Health to fight COVID-19 pandemic from spreading in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary also called on Nigerians to only obtain information on the pandemic from a credible source like WHO platform, Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, information portal.
Sambo also called on Nigerians to adhere to the safety rules and advice as laid down or thought out by professionals during this Coronavirus pandemic period.
He, however, noted that the lockdown order by the government was not intended to punish anybody but a measure that would enable all Nigerians to stay safe and alive.
Nigeria has experienced a rise in the pandemic despite the lockdown in the country and the figures are expected to continue to rise, given the population of Nigeria, the violation of the Federal Government’s lockdown order and the low testing rate across the country.
