17 hours Ago By Janet Ogundepo
The Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners has said the N750 health insurance capitation recently approved by the Lagos State Government is not sustainable, describing it as ineffective in providing quality healthcare services to residents. The Lagos State Chairman of ANPMP, Dr Jonathan Esegine, said this on the sidelines of its Gala and Awards Ceremony. ANPMP is the umbrella organisation for medical and dental doctors in private practice.
Esegine explained that Lagos State was previously paying N350 capitation per month for the treatment of enrollees under the state’s health insurance programme (Ilera Eko), emphasising that health providers were not enthusiastic about the plan. He emphasised that Lagos’ approval of the N750 capitation could not sustain the service, stating that the financing of healthcare delivery must be seamless to ensure efficient healthcare delivery. Capitation is a payment model in healthcare where a provider is paid a set amount for each patient they are assigned to, regardless of whether the patient seeks care.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that about 1.3 million residents of Lagos have been enrolled in its health insurance scheme, Ilera Eko, to reduce the burden of out-of-pocket payment for healthcare and to ensure every resident was under the Universal Health Coverage. Speaking on the capitation, Esegine said, “We told the government so, initially they didn’t want to listen but they have seen the reality and they have brought it up to 750.
It is still not ideal. “But our attitude to it is that at least the government is beginning to listen, so we don’t have to wait until it is perfect before we participate, so we are changing our attitude. “I think at this point we can collaborate with the government because we are also interested in the wellbeing of the people.
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She further noted that the state government had approved the increase of capitation to N750 per person per month and the fee-for-service by 30 per cent. The LASHMA PS appealed to ANPMP members to join the government in its effort to achieve universal health coverage in the state. Also commenting on the issue, the Lagos State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Babajide Saheed, appealed to the state government to review the N750 capitation upward to encourage hospital subscriptions to the scheme.
He urged the government to expand its primary healthcare services to residents by incorporating private health facilities across the state. Saheed further emphasised that private health facilities were “bleeding” from multiple taxation and overregulation from government agencies, urging the state to review its stance to advance healthcare delivery. Speaking at the Gala and Award ceremony, the ANPMP Lagos chair said the annual event was to wine, dine, socialise and celebrate the contributions of past leaders to the development of the association.
Awardees at the event include Prof Yomi Ogun, Dr Tola Osinowo, Dr Jimmy Arigbabuwo, Dr Tunji Adenekan, Dr Makinde Akinlemibola..
