A cross section of participants at the workshop
Stakeholders in the social health insurance sector have held a dialogue on resource mobilisation and its implications on healthcare financing in the country.
The dialogue which attracted many participants including the Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIA) was also attended by the Executive Secretary of Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency, Igbemi Arthur Igbemi.
Igbemi, a medical doctor and Permanent Secretary in Akwa Ibom State Civil Service, said the dialogue represented the “collective expertise and experiences of subnational health insurance agencies, the Forum of SSHIA CEOs and provided critical insights into the challenges and opportunities surrounding domestic resource mobilization for healthcare delivery.’
“The CEOs emphasized the importance of fiscal autonomy, strategic decentralization, and innovative financing mechanisms to strengthen health systems at the state level.
The dialogue he said comprised leading voices in Nigeria’s health sector, including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate; the Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Kelechi Ohiri; and the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Muyi Aina. Development partners, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the country were also in attendance.
According to him, the forum reiterated its commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through inclusive and sustainable health financing models. Members shared success stories from various states, highlighting how state-level insurance schemes are expanding access to care, improving financial protection, and driving health equity across Nigeria.
He explained that the Dialogue also served as a platform to advocate for stronger collaboration between federal institutions and state agencies, ensuring that health financing reforms are responsive to local realities and capable of delivering impact at the grassroots level.
“The participation of the Forum of SSHIA CEOs underscores the critical role of state-led initiatives in shaping Nigeria’s health financing future and reinforces the need for coordinated action to achieve equitable, efficient, and resilient healthcare delivery nationwide, ” he stated.
The forum was moderates by the Publisher of BusinessDay Newspaper, Frank Aigbogun.
