Healthcare Delivery as Public Good: An Evaluation of the NHIS as an Option in Healthcare Management in Nigeria (Published)

Article Author: Francis Okechukwu Chikeleze

The health of members of any society affects the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the entire society and as such should not be the sole responsibility of the individuals concerned. Currently, health insurance has dominated government efforts in providing healthcare to her citizens but the extent to which this option actually meets the needs of all segments of the society is questionable especially in predominantly poor societies where economic situations and poverty has fundamentally limited accessibility to healthcare based on contribution. This study explored the National Health Insurance Scheme in Nigeria (NHIS) with a view to examining how much it has achieved in providing health for ALL Nigerians since its inception over eighteen years ago. The study employed questionnaire and interview in its research to a sample size of 348 respondents in Enugu state. The findings show that the Scheme fell short of its objectives. The study recommended government direct budgetary allocation to healthcare services in general as a public good and not regard healthcare as the responsibility of the individual directly affected by health challenges. This is predicated on the fact that the health of any society is the basic social responsibility of government and should be publicly funded as public good.