LAGOS- NHIA ADDS FIVE NEW HEALTH FACILITIES IN CEmOC PROGRAMME

"The initiative specifically addresses the third delay in receiving care by ensuring that women with obstetric complications receive immediate, life-saving treatment at the point of access." NHIA 

The National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, ahead of the implementation of its Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEmOC) programme in Lagos State, has included five (5) additional healthcare facilities in Lagos State.

The onboarded medical facilities are the Lagos Island Maternal Hospital, General Hospital Gbagada, Surulere General Hospital, General Hospital, Apapa and the General Hospital Ikorodu. 

A statement issued and signed by the Acting Director Media and Public Relations of the NHIA, Emmanuel Ononokpono, revealed that, "the onboarding of the facilities strengthens the agreements reached between the NHIA and the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Health." 

Within the context of smooth implementation of the programme, the Director General of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri and the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Akin Abayomi had previously led their various agencies to the signing of service level agreements. 

"The NHIA’s Financing Access to CEmOC programme, which was launched in September 2024, is an innovative health financing mechanism designed to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity among the most vulnerable populations." The statement read.

The initiative specifically addresses the third delay in receiving care by ensuring that women with obstetric complications receive immediate, life-saving treatment at the point of access. 

The onboarding exercise afforded the NHIA and CEmOC teams in the selected facilities (comprising staff of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Maternity Ward, Pharmacy Department, Family Planning Clinic, Medical Records Unit, Social Welfare Department, including Finance and Account Department as well  other relevant units) to conducted a facility walkthrough to assess readiness for the implementation of the programme. 

The NHIA, State Ministry of Health, Healthcare Providers, State Social Health Insurance Schemes (SSHIS) and Third-Party Administrators are key in the operationalisation of the programme. 

Persons eligible for the CEmOC programme include poor and vulnerable women at risk of any of the following obstetrics complications – pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, haemorrhage, prolonged obstructed labour, sepsis, post- abortion complications, and other conditions requiring delivery by caesarean section. Beyond emergency care, the programme provides comprehensive postpartum Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) services, including family planning, and facilitates the enrolment of beneficiaries into health insurance to guarantee continued access to essential maternal and child health services (including emergencies). 

Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director, General Hospital, Ikorodu, Dr Taiwo Hassan expressed the confidence that the CEmOC programme will play a pivotal role in ensuring that vulnerable women that access healthcare.