There are three (3) tiers of healthcare system in the country:
- Tertiary Health Institution system
which is primarily a federal government responsibility. It includes Teaching and Specialist hospitals, with at least one in each of the 36 states of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
- Secondary Health Institution system
which is a state responsibility with hospitals situated in the seven hundred and seventy four (774) Local Government Areas (L.G.As).
- Primary Health Institution system which is a Local government responsibility and includes health posts, clinics and centres that are manned by community health workers. There are some private hospitals with limited but highly specialized services and other secondary healthcare providers.
Public (Government/State owned) Hospitals: This consists of General Hospitals, University teaching & Specialist Hospitals. Charges are moderate but some of them lack equipment and adequate amenities. There are often delays and patients may not be attended to promptly due to the large number of patients.
Private Hospitals: These are standard hospitals. While some have adequate hospital equipment, others don’t and have to refer patients to bigger hospitals for lab tests, X-rays. They are generally more expensive.
It is important to note that the distribution and quality of health services varies greatly throughout Nigeria and any information contained is intended as only a guideline.
Precondition for obtaining hospital services
Generally, a deposit has to be made before treatment is carried out and payment has to be completed when treatment is complete. Some organizations (both public and private) have retainer ships with health care providers to cater for the provision of services for their workforce.
If a returnee has a medical history, it is advisable to obtain a referral letter from hospital where he/she was undergoing treatment. If no previous medical condition, returnee only needs to pay registration fee to the hospital and be able to cover own medical costs.
Medical infrastructure: number and equipment of hospitals
Availability and costs: medicine
Drugs are available but may be expensive depending on type. There are lots of pharmacies spread across the various parts of Nigeria.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have done a lot of work to ensure that these pharmacies are regulated and sell genuine medicine to the Nigerian public.
National Health Insurance scheme (NHIS) was activated on the March 22, 2002. The Scheme is supposed to guarantee easy access to health care for all.
Under the present government the official take-off of the scheme was announced in July 2005, starting with the formal sector. This means that the private sector has yet to join in the scheme.
Participation in the programme involves a contributor registering with NHIS approved Health Maintenance Organisations (HMO) which are limited liability companies which may be formed by private or public establishments registered by the Scheme to facilitate the provision of health care benefits to the contributors. Thereafter, the contributors are to register with a primary health care provider of his choice (private or public) from an NHIS approved list of providers supplied by his HMO. Upon registration, a contributor will be issued an identity card (ID) with a personal identification number. Treatment is to be provided upon presentation of ID card by the contributor. A contributor is at liberty to change his or her primary care provider if he or she is not satisfied with services rendered after six months while the HMO will make payment for service rendered to the health care provider.
Rate of Contribution to the Scheme
Under the NHIS scheme, individuals are required to deduct from their basic salary 15 percent of their salary, which will be set aside to cover their health needs.
Of the total contribution of 15 percent, however, the employer is expected to contribute 10 percent and the employee five percent.
NHIS pays N550 per person to Health Management Organizations (HMOs) in the scheme. This is usually paid to HMO’s three months in advance that in turn pay this to health service providers one month in advance.
Required personal documentation
In the case of an individual, personal details and passport picture of yourself and that of your spouse and children. Upon registration, a contributor will be issued an identity card (ID) with a personal identification number. Treatment is to be provided upon presentation of ID card by the contributor.
The Executive Secretary
National Health Insurance Scheme
6 FRIA Close, Coreebay Crescent
Wuse 11 Abuja
Tel: +234 9 413 0027-8
The Honourable Minister
Federal Ministry of Health
Block 4A (3rd Floor), Federal Secretariat Complex
Shehu Shagari Way, Central Area
P.M.B. 083, Garki, Abuja
Tel: + 234 9 5238362
Fax: + 234 9 5234590
