By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has sanctioned 49 healthcare facilities and 47 Health Maintenance Organisations for violating operational guidelines in 2024.
This was revealed in a statement on Sunday by NHIA’s Acting Director of Media and Public Relations, Emmanuel Ononokpono.
The sanctions followed findings in the agency’s 2024 Annual Complaints Report.
Out of 3,507 complaints received, 2,929 were resolved. The majority were against healthcare facilities, mainly over unavailability of medicines, denial of services, and illegal out-of-pocket charges.
HMOs were cited for delays in issuing referral codes, failure to settle payments, and poor monitoring of service quality.
According to the report, 84 warnings were issued to healthcare providers, 39 refunded over N4.3 million to 54 enrollees, four facilities were suspended, and six delisted.
Thirty-five HMOs got warning letters, and 12 were directed to refund N748,200 to 15 enrollees.
NHIA Director-General, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, described the actions as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and improve service quality.
He said the authority has now set a one-hour deadline for HMOs to issue referral codes, after which providers may proceed with treatment.
Ohiri reaffirmed NHIA’s commitment to upholding standards and supporting President Tinubu’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.
