Nigeria’s long-standing struggle with high healthcare costs may be easing following the launch of the Group, Individual, and Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP) by Ultimate Health HMO.
Designed to expand access to quality care, GIFSHIP offers comprehensive coverage—including primary, secondary, and tertiary services—at an annual premium of ₦38,718 per person. The scheme is regulated by the National Health Insurance Authority under the NHIA Act 2022, which mandates health insurance for all Nigerians.
Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Managing Director Lekan Ewenla described the initiative as a strategic move toward universal health coverage, emphasizing affordability, equity, and improved health outcomes.
The programme introduces a structured risk management model, assigning primary healthcare providers and HMOs defined roles in service delivery, while ensuring standardized tariffs and pre-authorisation systems for efficiency.
GIFSHIP is targeted at individuals, families, and corporate groups, with a focus on mass-market inclusion. The initiative is expected to boost enrollment and address Nigeria’s poor health indices by reducing financial barriers to care.
Ultimate Health HMO says the scheme marks a critical step in reshaping the nation’s healthcare landscape and has called on Nigerians to embrace the programme as part of a broader push toward accessible and sustainable healthcare.
