Senate calls for compulsory health insurance for all Nigerians- The Senate is seeking for all Nigerians to have access to mandatory health insurance - The chairman of the Senate’s committee on health noted that under the current act, health insurance is optional - The lawmaker also called for premium payments to be subsidized for the poor On Monday, February 17, the Nigerian Senate demanded compulsory health insurance for every Nigerian irrespective of where they fall into. In a report by Daily Trust, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe disclosed this at a public hearing for two bills which are an Act to repeal the National Health Insurance Scheme Act 2004 and enact the National Health Insurance Commission Bill. According to Oloriegbe, the health bill aims at establishing the National Health Insurance Commission, its governing council and its functions. The lawmaker noted that the current NHIS under the current act of health insurance makes provision for optional health insurance in Nigeria. Oloriegbe went on to further call for subsidized premium payments for those who cannot afford the insurance premium. Read also This is where bandits, kidnappers now hide - Senate Legit.ng had previously reported that the Senate had resolved to investigate the activities of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) over alleged poor services provided by the scheme and some Health Management Organizations (HMOs). PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app The upper chamber said the investigation would enable necessary actions to be taken to improve the services of the scheme for the attainment of universal health coverage for Nigerians. Senate's yet-to-be constituted committee on health would be saddled with the assignment. In a related development, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday, April 8, 2019, said the federal government has made the NHIS central to its plans for the healthcare system in the country. Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, said the vice president communicated this while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said an effective scheme remained the best option for the development of the health sector and efficient healthcare delivery in the country. Read also Collect tax on carbonated drinks - Custom advises FG NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better Is democracy working for Nigeria? - on Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - The Senate is seeking for all Nigerians to have access to mandatory health insurance - The chairman of the Senate’s committee on health noted that under the current act, health insurance is optional - The lawmaker also called for premium payments to be subsidized for the poor Legit.ng PAY ATTENTION: NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng