National Health Insurance Scheme Act, 1999
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Act establishes a scheme to provide health insurance for all Nigerian residents. Enacted in 1999, it creates a framework for the provision of affordable healthcare through a structured insurance system. The Act defines the governance of the scheme, contributor obligations, benefits, and the role of health maintenance organizations.
Legal area: Law relating to healthcare, health insurance, and medical practice.
Year enacted: 1999
Full text: https://lawsofnigeria.placng.org/laws/national-health-insurance-scheme-act.html
Key Provisions
- Part II: Establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme
- Part III: Contributory health insurance for employees in the formal sector
- Part IV: Benefits and coverage of the scheme
- Section 11: Employer and employee contributions
- Section 14: Role of Health Maintenance Organizations
- Section 20: Provision of healthcare services by accredited providers
Significance
The NHIS Act represents Nigeria’s effort to achieve universal health coverage. Enrollment has historically been low, primarily limited to federal government employees, though recent reforms under the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 have sought to expand coverage.