NUJ National Secretariat pays courtesy visit to NHIA

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, National Secretariat, led by its National President, Alhassan Yahya, paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohini, at the NHIA headquarters in Abuja.

The visit aimed to strengthen the partnership between NUJ and NHIA in promoting healthcare delivery and health insurance coverage for journalists and Nigerians at large. The NUJ President acknowledged the efforts of the NHIA and its Director General in delivering on their mandate to provide affordable health insurance premiums and quality healthcare packages, particularly for low-income earners.

In his remarks, Alhassan commended the NHIA’s efforts but emphasized the need for synergy between the two organizations to effectively convey information about the reforms introduced and to enhance public sensitization. He sought collaboration with NHIA to train journalists across the six geopolitical zones, enhancing their capacity for quality reportage on NHIA operations.

The NUJ President also advocated for affordable health insurance coverage for journalists, particularly those in private media establishments. He urged the NHIA to consider the unique needs of journalists in the informal sector, ensuring that they have access to quality healthcare services.

Dr. Kelechi Ohini, Director General of NHIA, expressed his delight in welcoming the NUJ leadership to his office. He acknowledged the long-standing friendship between the NHIA and NUJ, describing Alhassan Yahya as a guru in health reporting. The DG pledged to work closely with NUJ in areas of sensitization and accountability, ensuring that journalists and Nigerians have access to quality healthcare services.

The Director General directed his directors to work with the NUJ, with population of members to participate in the scheme, to develop affordable premium plans and quality health insurance packages for journalists. This initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on enhancing healthcare delivery and insurance coverage for Nigerians.

The NHIA boss also called on the NUJ to develop a proposal for the proposed training of journalists, aimed at enhancing their capacity to report accurately on health insurance issues.

The meeting underscored the commitment of both parties to work together in promoting healthcare delivery and health insurance coverage for journalists and Nigerians. The NUJ and NHIA are poised to strengthen their partnership, ensuring that quality healthcare services are accessible to all.

The visit demonstrates the NHIA’s commitment to implementing the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, and its various programs, including the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, BHCPF, and the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme, VHIS. These initiatives aim to increase access to healthcare services, reduce out-of-pocket expenses, and promote financial risk protection for individuals and families.

The NUJ’s advocacy for affordable health insurance coverage for journalists highlights the importance of social health insurance in promoting the welfare of media practitioners. As key stakeholders in the country’s development, journalists deserve access to quality healthcare services, enabling them to perform their duties effectively.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration and partnership between the NUJ and NHIA, paving the way for improved healthcare delivery and health insurance coverage for journalists and Nigerians.