NHIA's Dr. Kelechi Ohiri Advocates for Healthcare Accountability

Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, the Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), called for enhanced accountability in managing public healthcare resources during an award ceremony in Abuja. He warned that lack of transparency undermines access to essential medical services.

The award, presented by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, recognized his dedication to transparency and accountability. Ohiri dedicated the honor to NHIA employees and stressed that the fight against corruption must ensure public funds achieve their intended purposes, especially in healthcare.

He outlined ongoing institutional reforms aimed at closing accountability gaps, including digitizing financial management, clearing audit backlogs, and improving monitoring of healthcare providers. Under his leadership, NHIA has increased national insurance enrollment to over 23 million Nigerians, although challenges remain in ensuring accessible and quality healthcare.

The award underscores the need for robust governance and accountability structures in the health sector.