Allocate Part Of Fuel Subsidy Savings To Healthcare Scheme

By Oduyemi Odumade

Members of the House of Representatives have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allocate a portion of the fuel subsidy savings to a vulnerable healthcare scheme.

The lawmakers made this charge during a debate on a motion titled “Call on the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, to cover vulnerable Nigerians,” which was sponsored by Bashiru Ayinla Dawodu.

In his lead debate, Mr. Dawodu who observed that access to quality and affordable healthcare is crucial for social and economic development pointed out that the World Health Assembly adopted Universal Health Coverage as part of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) Agenda 2030 in 2005.

He expressed concern over the low enrollment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), with only 5 million Nigerians currently enrolled. Additionally, more than 70% of the population pays out of pocket for healthcare expenses.

The lawmakers noted that vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, children under five years, persons with special needs, and the elderly, are most affected by this situation.

Recognizing that universal healthcare coverage is essential in addressing the healthcare crisis, the House emphasized that the target of the National Health Insurance must be met.

The House of Representatives also raised concerns over the significant expenditure on fuel subsidies saying that In 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) spent N4 trillion ($9.7 billion) on fuel subsidies, with N3.6 trillion spent in the first six months of 2023.

The lawmakers noted that it costs approximately 5 billion to cover 5 million individuals annually at a rate of N5,000 per person.

In addition to urging President Tinubu to allocate part of the fuel subsidy savings to the vulnerable healthcare scheme, the lawmakers tasked NHIA authorities with ensuring the implementation and monitoring of the scheme.

The motion has been referred to the joint Committees on Finance and Healthcare Services for further legislative action.

Edited By Grace Namiji