The Nigerian Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, has publicly refuted a recent online media report which announced the rollout of a new Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) for civil servants.
The Minister clarified that the reported development is far from being concluded.
In a statement released on social media, Pate expressed his surprise at the premature announcement.
He emphasized that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) is committed to expanding financial protection for all Nigerians, not just a privileged few.
Pate further criticized the forces that have historically impeded progress on health insurance in Nigeria, noting that only about 7% of the population, or approximately 16 million Nigerians, have been covered in the past 20 years.
The minister reiterated that the ongoing reforms aim to expand coverage not only for federal civil servants but also for retirees and millions of poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
The Platinum Post article, now disputed, had claimed that a new HMO named Federal Civil Service Health Maintenance Limited specifically for civil servants was being launched, sparking reactions and discussions among stakeholders.
The article claimed that the creation of this HMO was approved by President Bola Tinubu signalling the government’s acknowledgement of the role played by its workforce.