Page 87 - GHES-2-4

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
NHIS: Acceptability and preferred benefit package

Irrespective of the final package provided, it is imperative studies of the acceptability and preferred benefits should
to consider the opinion of the end users to ensure a be carried out by the NHIA periodically.
successful implementation of the health insurance scheme.
Various studies are also in agreement with the involvement Acknowledgments
of the consumers in designing the various health benefit The researchers would like to appreciate all those who took
packages (Anderson & Adeniji, 2019; Onwujekwe et al., part in the study.
2010). There is a range of health-care benefit packages, and
helping consumers to choose an appropriate one requires Funding
constant review of the scheme.
None.
4.1. Further research considerations Conflict of interest
Following the commencement of the health insurance
program, there is a need for a follow-up study to help The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
unveil the actual preferences. Willingness-to-pay studies Author contributions
should also be carried out in this study population.
Conceptualization: Foluke Olukemi Adeniji
The implication of these findings for the health
insurance plan is as follows: it is necessary to set up one Investigation: Foluke Olukemi Adeniji
Methodology: Foluke Olukemi Adeniji
all-inclusive health-care benefit package for the workers Writing–original draft: All authors
serving the formal sector, due to the varying preferences Writing –review & editing: All authors
toward the benefit packages across the range of socio-
economic groups. These evidence-based informations Ethics approval and consent to participate
should be taken into consideration in the designing of
the benefit packages. This will also help the uptake and Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the
utilization of the health-care insurance scheme as meeting UPTH Research Ethics Committee (UPTH/ADM/90/S.
the health needs of clients will make the health insurance II/VOL.XI/654). Written informed consent was obtained
more acceptable. from the study participants before the study.
4.2. Limitations Consent for publication
Most of the respondents do not have a health insurance Informed consent was obtained from the study participants.
plan since the scheme was launched not too long ago. Their data were coded and confidentiality maintained.
The different benefit packages had no price tag although
the potential consumers or users of insurance plans have Availability of data
been informed that the packages with wider coverage of Data are available from the corresponding author on
health-care services are more costly. Furthermore, the reasonable request.
respondents’ perceptions and requirements after using the
state health insurance scheme may change. References
5. Conclusion Adebiyi, O., & Adeniji, F.O. (2021). Factors affecting utilization
of the national health insurance scheme by federal civil
The civil servants in the Rivers State were minimally servants in rivers state, Nigeria. Inquiry, 58.
covered by any type of health insurance. About two- https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580211017626
thirds of respondents found the NHIS acceptable, and Agba MS. (2010). Perceived impact of The National Health
the majority, especially those in the poor and the poorest Insurance (NHIS) among Registered Staff in Federal
wealth quintiles, preferred an all-inclusive health-care Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State Nigeria. Studies in Sociology of
benefit package, while the richest preferred the benefit Science. 1:44-49
package covering basic diseases. Acceptability of the
scheme was found to be statistically associated with the Ahmed, A.A., & Aliyu, A. (2019). Acceptance and satisfaction
socioeconomic status of respondents. There is a need to of national health insurance scheme services among civil
servants in Sokoto metropolis, Sokoto State-Nigeria. Texila
intensify efforts to increase the acceptability of the health International Journal of Public Health, 7(4):26.
insurance scheme. The opinions of the consumers and
their health needs must be taken into consideration when https://doi.org/10.21522/TIJPH.2013.07.04.Art026
planning a health insurance benefit package. Evaluation Amu, H., Dickson, K.S., Kumi-Kyereme, A., & Maafo

Volume 2 Issue 4 (2024) 9 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.2909