By Ngozi Nwankwo
Director General of National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu has said his administration would ensure that all Corps Members enjoy high quality medicare throughout their service year.
Nafiu added that Corps Members are exposed to series of risks and health hazards in the course of national service, hence, the need to provide a robust health package that would cater for them whenever the need arises.
He stated this during his familiarization visit to the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, in his office in Abuja.
Nafiu, while describing health insurance as one of the critical components of NYSC activities, said the National Health Insurance Authority is a critical stakeholder in the Scheme’s programmes as it relates to Corps Members.
During his visit, he harped on the need for a strengthened collaboration between NYSC and NHIA in order to enable the Corps Members serve their fatherland better.
“Corps Welfare and Health is paramount to us in NYSC. We want to improve our existing relationship for the benefit of our Corps Members.
I have come to familiarize myself with the leadership of NHIA and fine-tune the MoU between NYSC and NHIA”, he said.
Brigadier General Nafiu also thanked the NHIA DG for supporting the NYSC while he promised a stronger collaboration between both agencies.
In his response, the DG/Chief Executive Officer of NHIA, Dr, Kelechi Ohiri congratulated General Nafiu on his appointment as the NYSC Director General and also his passionate commitment to Corps Welfare.
He said the agency is ready for any partnership that is of high value with seamless services.
The NHIA DG added that the existing collaboration with the NYSC, which requires the deployment of human and capital resources has been of tremendous benefit to the Corps Members.
He stated further that the NHIA in its on-going reforms is reviewing its guidelines and also accrediting the quality of healthcare providers through its compliance and enforcement team across the country.
Dr Ohiri also noted that the observed challenges would be reviewed to enable enrollees including the Corps Members enjoy maximum healthcare.
“We will ensure that our Corps Members do not lack access to the needed healthcare. Our joint committee will look at the challenges we have and look at the critical areas and how to improve on them”, he added.