ABSTRACT
This study assessed healthcare delivery of Nigerian National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in
Kogi East. The scheme which took off in 2005 was established to reduce government’s
healthcare financing burden and create access to affordable and efficient healthcare for all
Nigerians. Evidences on ground however show that access is limited, accredited Healthcare
Providers (HCP)s operate under conditions of dilapidated buildings, obsolete equipment,
unhygienic hospital environments, long wait lines and staff apathy.Healthcare outcome is in
doubt because of paucity of experiencedmedical personnel, leading to massive use of N.Y.S.C
doctors.
This scenario, could hamper the achievement of NHIS promise of EASY ACCESS TO
AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL NIGERIANS?Under these circumstances, what is
the enrollee perception of the programme in Kogi East? This study assessedrespondents’
awareness and perception of the Scheme in Kogi East.A structured questionnaire with a
Cronbach alpha coefficient of .938 (94%) reliability was administered on 379 enrollees in the
area. Study hypotheses were tested with the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the
one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests (K-S). The results showed significant awareness of
NHIS objectives amongst enrollees in Kogi East, (Fc=383.577>Ft=2.9957), enrollee access in
Kogi East (Zc=4.09>Zt=1.96). It also indicated significant reduction in healthcare financing
burden, (Zc=8.921>Zt1.96) and positive perception of NHIS healthcare delivery efficiency.
(Fc=41.084>Ft=2.9957). Respondents were also satisfied with NHIS healthcare
(Zc=4.198>Zt=1.96) and preferred the healthcare services than the cash-and-carry regime.in the
area, (Zc=5.865>Zt=1.96). The study recommends regular healthcare seminars, workshops and
conferences and proactive inspection of accredited HCPs. Abolition of the 10% of cost of drugs
paid by enrollees each time they visited the HCPs to reduce the mortality index in the area and
accreditation of more HCPs are equally recommended. Ambulance/transport services for
emergencies and higher standard of practice should be established in the area. Recommendations
for further researches were appropriately made.
Key Words: NHIS, healthcare delivery, access, perception, enrollees.
