Minister queries Defense Ministry’s quick HMO decision

Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Health Minister, has disagreed with the Defence Ministry’s sudden decision to create a new health insurance plan for civil servant.

The Defence Ministry announced a new health insurance plan, Federal Civil Service Health Maintenance Limited, for civil servant on its website on Thursday.

The statement partly read, “The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the creation of a new Health Maintenance Organisation to be called, Federal Civil Service Health Maintenance Limited.

“Dr Kana emphasised the significance of this initiative, saying that the approval’s attests to the government’s recognition of the invaluable contributions of its workforce.”

Meanwhile, Prof Pate on his X handle on Friday night said he was very surprised to see the announcement on a matter that is far from being concluded.

“President @officialABAT’s administration is focused in the health sector on expanding financial protection for all Nigerians, not only a few privileged ones.

The minister noted, “The forces that held back progress on health insurance (only about seven per cent of the population or 16 million Nigerians covered in more than 20 years) woke up to undermine efforts to reform the National Health Insurance Authority to accelerate coverage for all Nigerians,”.

However, he cautioned those supporting the “project” not to confuse knowledge with power.