The House of Representatives said Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) have received over N351 billion in the last 11 years without commensurate impact on health of enrolees.
It said since 2005 when the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) took off, enrolees continually get short-changed and used as conduit pipes to funnel revenues to HMOs and healthcare providers.
The House resolved to investigate the matter following a motion by Reps Chike Okafor (APC, Imo) and Henry Nwawuba (PDP, Imo).
The House said enrolees of the scheme "are treated like leprous people while trying to access the services, given that strategies have been adopted by the healthcare providers and HMOs to deprive the enrolees of their rights to qualitative treatment and attention."
Thus, the House mandated its committee on healthcare services to investigate the activities of HMOs and healthcare providers for the past eight years and report back in four weeks.
The House also urged NHIS management to put a stop to further quarterly release of funds to HMOs, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Leading debate on the motion, Rep Okafor said "it is regrettable to realize that the services cover less than 4 percent of Nigerians, which is the current coverage of the scheme."
Credit: allafrica