SAVE Initiative Calls for NHIA Action on Kogi Healthcare

On September 24, during an advocacy visit to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in Lokoja, Kogi State, Okai Muhammed, Executive Director of SAVE Initiative, raised concerns about healthcare access in Kogi East. He presented findings from a Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) exercise, which indicated significant neglect and poor infrastructure in healthcare facilities.

Muhammed stated that many patients are unable to access treatment for conditions like malaria due to a lack of drugs, personnel, and functional equipment. He described the conditions in Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) as "grossly inadequate and unfit for human service." Chief Stephen Salawu from Citizens Empowerment Projects Advocacy Trust criticized hospitals under the National Health Insurance Scheme for not having prescribed drugs available, forcing patients to incur additional costs.

Dr Musa Rukaiyat, representing NHIA, acknowledged the deplorable conditions of several PHCs and emphasized the need for urgent intervention.