The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Medical Centre, in collaboration with Ultimate Health Management Services (HMO), recently hosted an interactive session on the Public Sector Health Insurance Programme (PSHIP).
Held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Tolu Odugbemi Hall, the session aimed to clarify the scheme’s operations, address challenges in accessing quality healthcare, and provide guidance on maximizing benefits for staff members and their dependents.
Bridging the Healthcare Gap
In her welcome address, the Director of the Medical Centre, Dr. (Mrs.) Olayinka Coker, emphasized the centre’s crucial role of providing healthcare for the University community including staff, dependents, and students. “The UNILAG Medical Centre serves as the vital link between the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS),” she explained.
Dr. Coker encouraged all participants to engage fully with the informative session.
Programme Structure and Commitment
Chief Otunba Lekan Ewenla, the CEO and MD of Ultimate Health HMO, highlighted the programme’s financial structure for federal employees. He explained that the scheme dedicates 10% of an individual’s basic salary as health insurance to cater comprehensively to employees’ health needs.
Chief Ewenla further stressed his personal commitment to quality assurance. He stated that the programme is dedicated to establishing and enforcing regulations for healthcare providers, ensuring that both primary and secondary health facilities meet federal government standards for NHIS beneficiaries. He shared his personal phone number for participants to report any instances of subpar care at affiliated government facilities, guaranteeing prompt resolution of complaints.
Understanding Your NHIS Benefits and Rights
Miss Oluwabunmi Johnson, the Client Retention and Relationship Officer at Ultimate Health Management Services, provided a detailed presentation on the NHIS. She reiterated that the scheme was established by the Federal Government to supplement health financing and increase access to care for all Nigerians.
She outlined the main objectives of NHIS:
- Shielding families from burdensome medical bills.
- Curbing rising healthcare costs.
- Distributing costs fairly across different income groups.
- Boosting private sector involvement in healthcare services.
Miss Johnson also clearly specified the key rights and privileges of every NHIS beneficiary:
- Choice of Care: Freedom to choose an accredited Primary Healthcare Facility (PHF).
- Switching Providers: Right to change PHF after six months (a fee of \text{₦1,000} applies).
- Access to Care: Accessing treatment once properly identified on the current enrollee register.
- Emergency Care: Receiving treatment at the nearest accredited facility during an emergency.
- Dependents: The ability to add or remove dependents, subject to NHIS approval. Adding extra dependents costs \text (₦1,000)
- Fair Treatment: The right to proper, fair, and non-discriminatory treatment.
The session addressed concerns raised by attendees regarding poor treatment at HMO-affiliated hospitals, with Chief Ewenla offering a firm assurance that all complaints would be promptly resolved.
Report: Ojo-Alo Oluwatoyin
Photograph: Akanni Islamiat
