Public Health Systems and Health Insurance Schemes (A Study of the Nigerian Public Health System and its Health Insurance Scheme

Abstract

The study focused on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and covered services, self-funding and corporate reputation, public health systems and health insurance programs, and a study of the Nigerian public health system and its health insurance program. The study's foundation was a change management theory that Kurt Lewin developed in the 1940s. Qualitative research methods were adopted. The sample size of 18 (3 people each from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria) was obtained from the unlimited total population into a focused group that comprises stakeholders of the Nigerian public health system and its health insurance scheme. Collaboration action research was adopted to comply with learnings from iterated feedback cycles. The result shows that there is a significant growth in Nigeria’s UHC but if the health insurance scheme does not provide sufficient healthcare services, even for minor conditions. Furthermore, results also show that a lack of trust led to a decrease in the corporate reputation of the NHIS reducing the rate of self-funding. Therefore, the study suggests that stakeholders in Nigeria's public health system and health insurance program should build a positive reputation by communicating to citizens specific aspects of the system's vision, mission, services provided or covered, etc. Nigerians view trustworthiness and high-quality services as essential components of the system and the program's reputation. In order to deliver a complex and iterative process of change (Unfreeze, Move, and Refreeze), Nigeria should establish a strong managerial reputation among its stakeholders, fund and monitor the system and scheme through proper accountability, the interaction of the individual, groups, organizations, and society involved

Keywords: UHC, Self-Funding, Public Health, and Health Insurance Scheme

DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/13-6-02

Publication date:September 30^th 2023