Providers Cry Out For Health Insurance Reform – 71% Nigerians Still Pay From Pocket Despite 22 Million Enrolled – HCPAN Lagos Conference

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Thursday, October 22, 2026 – Lagos – SHOWTV.com.ng 

Breaking Naija health news don land this morning!

Healthcare providers for Nigeria don para for Lagos yesterday – dem talk say health insurance never reach common man for street.

Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) Lagos chapter conference wey happen Tuesday for LCCI building Lagos cry out say even though 22 million people don register for health insurance, na only 10% of Naija population, and more than 71% still dey pay from pocket when sickness catch dem.

Providers seek health insurance reforms in Nigeria – PunchNG reports today Wednesday October 22, 2026 00:36 AM – Health providers say insurance scheme need urgent reform.

According to PunchNG report published 2026-10-22T00:36:38+00:00, providers talk say current insurance model dey too rigid – e no fit traders, artisans, okada riders, market women and small business owners wey be majority of Nigerians for informal sector.

Dem ask Federal Government, NHIA, insurers and regulators make dem create flexible contribution plan – make person fit pay small small – daily, weekly or monthly – not big annual payment wey poor man no fit afford.

Dem also demand quick payment to hospitals – make HMOs pay hospitals fast fast – make hospitals no dey reject insurance patients because money never enter.

Third demand – make community pharmacies join insurance network so people fit collect drugs easy for corner pharmacy – not to go far hospital pharmacy.

Conference theme na "Expanding Health Insurance Coverage in Nigeria" – HCPAN 2026 Annual Scientific Conference – Held at Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry LCCI building, Lagos – Tuesday October 21, 2026.

One provider wey talk for conference talk say "22 million enrolled sound big, but for 220 million Nigerians, na just 10 percent – 71 percent still dey do out-of-pocket – If person get malaria, e go bring N20k from pocket – If insurance work, e go pay N500 – That na why we need reform."

NHIA Act 2022 make insurance mandatory for all Nigerians, but implementation still slow – especially for informal sector – HCPAN say make government enforce am but with human face.

For now, more than 71% Nigerians still dey pay from pocket – WHO talk say out-of-pocket above 30% na danger – Naija dey 71% – double wahala.

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SOURCES:

PunchNG – Providers seek health insurance reforms in Nigeria – Published 2026-10-22T00:36:38+00:00 – 22 million enrolled, 71% pay out-of-pocket

HCPAN 2026 Annual Scientific Conference – Expanding Health Insurance Coverage in Nigeria – LCCI Lagos – Tuesday Oct 21 2026