Social health insurance: GIFSHIP targets Nigeria's uninsured millions

By Sola Ogundipe

Nigeria’s drive towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) received a boost with the official introduction of the Group, Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Product (GIFSHIP), a scheme designed to extend affordable healthcare to millions of Nigerians in the informal sector and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

At the formal launch in Lagos, the Managing Director and CEO of Ultimate Health HMO, Otunba Lekan Ewenla, described the initiative as a significant milestone in broadening access to quality healthcare beyond the formal workforce.

“The formal launch of U- Health GIFSHIP today marks a bold step towards setting the right agenda for the gradual attainment of Universal Health Coverage for the country.

“Only about 15 percent of Nigeria’s population works in the formal sector, while approximately 85 percent earns a living in the informal economy, making expansion of health insurance beyond government employees critical to improving national health outcomes.”