Her Excellency, Distinguished Senator Dr. Ipalibo Banigo (DSSRS) Chairman of the 10th Senate Committee on Health flagged off the Bringing Healthcare Home component of the Kingdom Mandate Initiative in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority, (NHIA).
At the symbolic flag-off ceremony, Distinguished Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo warmly welcomed His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara (GSSRS), Governor of Rivers State, ably represented by Her Excellency, Professor Mrs Ngozi Odu (DSSRS), the Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
Other notable attendees included Distinguished Senator Kelvin Chuku, the DG NHIA, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, CMDs of various medical facilities, Local Government Chairmen from across the 8 LGAs of Rivers West Senatorial District, as well as Royal Majesties, Chiefs, Bishops, the Executive Director of the State Primary Healthcare Board, the Director of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, and numerous youths and women present.
This unprecedented initiative is designed to bring comprehensive health services to the Rivers West Senatorial District, ensuring inclusive healthcare services for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, children, youths, women, and the elderly, protecting constituents from the burdens of out-of-pocket health-related expenses.
Through this, Senator Banigo aims to see a transformation in the nation’s health indices, not only in Rivers State but across the nation as others follow suit; ensuring better health outcomes for all, ultimately leading to a healthier Nigeria.
Recall that Her Excellency, Senator Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, hosted the 5th Legislative Health Summit with both Federal and State Legislators of the Committees of Health, in the month of July 2024, calling for a concerted legislative effort to address low participation in the nation’s health insurance program; emphasizing the urgent need for lawmakers to leverage their oversight and budgetary powers to expand health coverage, ensure accountability, and build public confidence in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Senator Banigo highlighted the success of mandatory taxation in increasing national revenue, drawing a parallel to how the enforcement of mandatory health insurance could improve healthcare access. “If we can achieve higher compliance in taxation, why not in health insurance?”.
Urging legislators to prioritize health insurance coverage and advocating for the use of zonal intervention funds to provide healthcare for their constituents, further emphasises the need for innovative thinking and collaboration between federal and state legislatures to mobilize resources for healthcare.
Legislators, she noted, must challenge themselves to think “outside the box” to ensure adequate funding, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.
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Reported by: Abiye A. Briggs
Legislative Aide
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