By Waziri Isa Adam
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was established to provide affordable healthcare to Nigerians. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. At the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) in Shika-Zaria, patients are dying while waiting for referral codes, a crucial step in accessing specialized medical care.
The lack of network and connectivity issues are major contributors to the delay in generating referral codes. The NHIS system relies on an online platform to process referrals, but the frequent network outages and slow internet speeds are hindering the process.
Patients and their families have shared harrowing stories of how they were forced to wait for long hours, even days, for referral codes, only to lose their loved ones due to the delay. One patient, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted how her mother died while waiting for a referral code to access cancer treatment. “We waited for days, but the code never came. My mother’s condition worsened, and she eventually passed away. It was heartbreaking,” she said.
The situation is further complicated by the lack of transparency and accountability within the NHIS system. Patients are often left in the dark, unsure of the status of their referral codes or why they are being delayed.
The ABUTH in Shika-Zaria is one of the premier teaching hospitals in Nigeria, but even there, the NHIS system is failing patients. The hospital’s management is also to blame for its indifference in taking practical steps to alleviate the difficulties experienced by the patients. Despite being aware of the challenges facing the NHIS system, the management has failed to take proactive measures to address the issues, such as providing alternative solutions or advocating for reforms.
The hospital’s management has shown a lack of urgency in addressing the issue, leaving patients to suffer. When confronted about the delays, hospital staff who preferred to remain anonymous often shift the blame to the NHIS or other external factors, rather than taking responsibility and working towards solutions.
Their inaction has contributed to the suffering of patients, who continue to face unnecessary delays and hardships while waiting for referral codes. “It’s frustrating to see patients suffer because of a system that’s supposed to help them,” said a healthcare worker at the hospital who also wished to remain anonymous. “We’ve raised the issue with management, but nothing seems to be done.”
The consequences of these delays are devastating. Patients are forced to seek alternative, often expensive, treatment options, which can lead to financial ruin. Others are left to suffer, their conditions worsening as they wait for care that never comes.
The NHIS system was designed to provide affordable healthcare to Nigerians, but in reality, it has become a barrier to access. Patients are forced to navigate a complex, bureaucratic process, only to be met with delays and indifference.
To address the network issues, the NHIS online platform needs to be upgraded to improve speed and reliability. Additionally, alternative methods for generating referral codes, such as offline options, should be provided. Transparency and accountability within the NHIS system also need to be increased, and healthcare professionals should receive adequate training on the NHIS system. Finally, the root causes of network outages and slow internet speeds need to be addressed.
By addressing these challenges, the NHIS can ensure that patients receive timely and quality care, and prevent unnecessary deaths. Patients deserve better, and it’s time for the NHIS and hospital management to take action.
The government must also take responsibility for the failures of the NHIS system. More funding and resources need to be allocated to improve the system’s infrastructure and capacity. Healthcare professionals must be trained and equipped to handle the demands of the system.
Ultimately, the lives of patients depend on it. The NHIS system was established to save lives, but in its current state, it is failing to do so. It is time for change.