Think about it, “You don’t think twice about buying ₦500 airtime. But when it comes to health insurance, we hesitate”.
This hesitation is costing Nigerians more than we realize. The truth is, many households are just one illness away from financial ruin. A single hospital bill can wipe out a month’s income, or worse, push a family into debt they may never recover from.
The Urgent Case for Normalizing Health Insurance
Health insurance is often seen as complicated, expensive, or unnecessary until an emergency strikes. Yet, just as topping up our phones has become second nature, we need to build a culture where protecting our health is routine, not optional.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act of 2022 is not just another policy on paper; it is a lifeline. It is an opportunity to make access affordable and accessible for everyone:
- Market women who keep our local economies running.
- Okada riders who navigate our cities daily.
- Teachers and students who form the backbone of our nation’s future.
Parents who simply want to treat a child’s fever before it becomes deadly.
Shifting from Emergency to Response
Too often, healthcare in Nigeria is treated as an emergency expense. But prevention is always better, and cheaper, than cure. With widespread health insurance coverage:
- Families can seek care early, before illnesses worsen.
- Communities can share healthcare risks, making the system stronger for everyone.
- Citizens can move past medical bills and start focusing on living healthy lives.
A Cultural Shift We Need
Normalizing health insurance means making it part of our daily lives like recharging data, paying transport fares, or buying food.
Health insurance is no longer a luxury. It’s survival.
At CHESIDS, we believe that universal health coverage begins with individual action. Every registration strengthens the system. Every family enrolled brings us closer to a Nigeria where healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
Ready to Take the First Step?
- Visit the NHIA portal to learn more and register.
- Or walk into your nearest Primary Health Care Center for assistance.
Your health is your wealth. Let’s protect ourselves, our families, and our communities, one registration at a time.
#CHESIDS #PublicHealthNigeria #HealthForAll #NHIA2022 #UHC #NormalizeHealthInsurance #RightToHealth
