Nigerian Government Funding Boosts Health Insurance in the Federal Capital
Earlier this year, a resource mobilization plan, developed with technical support from Health Policy Plus (HP+), enabled the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to secure $809,000 from the government to fund health insurance for 25,000 indigent persons in 2019. “HP+, with the support of USAID, has been a reliable partner in our quest to operate sustainable health insurance in the FCT,” said Dr. Ahmed Danfulani, Program Manager of the FCT Health Insurance Scheme.
HP+ began working with the FCT Administration and FCT Health Insurance Scheme in 2018 to generate an increase in sustainable and predictable resources for health. As part of this work, HP+ conducted an analysis to identify government sources that could provide resources for health. Results fed into a resource mobilization plan, which served as a roadmap and strategy to unlock over $60 million over the next five years for the FCT health sector, via the insurance scheme.
Based on the resource mobilization plan, the FCT Health Insurance Scheme submitted a proposal to access 10 percent of a $9 million grant made to the Saving One Million Lives, Program for Results initiative, which was launched by the president of Nigeria in 2012 to provide incentives to institutions based on improved health outcomes. The proposal unlocked $809,000 for the FCT health sector in 2019. In 2020, the FCT Health Insurance Scheme plans to grow this amount to 40 percent of available grant funds by demonstrating results through upgraded facilities, increased utilization, and improved access to quality care.
“We’ve used the secured funds to pay premiums for 25,000 indigent persons in rural communities in FCT. These people will enjoy an equity plan from the FCT Health Insurance Scheme for the next 12 months, which will improve the quality of care and minimize health-induced financial catastrophe in the FCT,” said Dr. Danfulani.
Following this success, the FCT Health Insurance Scheme intends to:
- Monitor and document the process and progress of cost-effective utilization of the funds made available by the Saving One Million Lives program.
- Collaborate with health maintenance organizations to enroll the target beneficiaries.
- Conduct a rapid assessment of primary healthcare facilities in beneficiary communities within the FCT to assist with facility accreditation, which is required to participate in the scheme.
- Initiate the process for release of the funds.
