The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing the quality of healthcare services in Nigeria. This commitment is part of the broader Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), introduced by President Bola Tinubu in December 2023 to advance the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) objectives.
To achieve these goals, NHIA has entered into a strategic partnership with PharmAccess, aimed at deploying advanced quality accreditation tools across its network. The formal agreement, signed on July 30, 2024, in Abuja, was attended by NHIA’s Director General, Kelechi Ohiri, and PharmAccess Country Director, Njide Ndili, along with senior executives from both organizations.
Under this partnership, NHIA will utilize key components of the SafeCare Toolbox, including the Quality Evaluation System (QES) and Quality Platforms. The QES will allow NHIA to perform in-depth quality assessments, produce detailed reports, and create targeted improvement plans. The Quality Platforms will support extensive data analytics, enhance visibility into quality improvement efforts, and integrate all stakeholders within the NHIA network, including assessors, healthcare providers, and NHIA leadership.
The agreement also includes technical support and regular training for NHIA’s Standards and Quality Assurance and Information & Communication Technologies teams, aiming to boost NHIA’s ability to manage accreditation and quality assurance activities effectively. This collaboration will build the capacity of NHIA’s core staff, ensuring the sustainability of quality enhancement initiatives.
Kelechi Ohiri expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration is a major step towards achieving higher quality standards and improving health outcomes for Nigerians. It represents a significant advancement in regulating healthcare providers and enhancing healthcare quality in Nigeria. This aligns with President Tinubu’s health sector renewal initiative and the leadership of Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.”
PharmAccess Country Director, Njide Ndili, also highlighted the importance of the partnership, emphasizing its role in advancing healthcare quality in Nigeria. She assured that PharmAccess is committed to supporting NHIA with the necessary resources and expertise to improve healthcare quality within its network. “Our collaboration will promote data-driven decision-making and foster a culture of continuous improvement in healthcare delivery, in line with NHIA’s strategic objectives and the Health Sector Renewal Initiative,” Ndili said.
Yakubu Agada-Amade, Director of Standards and Quality Assurance at NHIA, noted the benefits of digitizing healthcare accreditation, including improved efficiency and transparency. Ibironke Dada, Director of SafeCare at PharmAccess, emphasized the partnership’s goal of establishing a robust quality rating system for NHIA providers.
