News
NHIA Mandates One-Hour Patient Wait Limit For HMOs
Health Maintenance Organisations in Nigeria have been warned not to delay patients on health insurance plan more than one hour before receiving medical attention at their chosen healthcare facility.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director and CEO of Ultimate Health Management Services, Otunba Lekan Ewenla, during the firm’s 14th Annual General Meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.
Ewenla, a former governing council member of the National Health Insurance Scheme, revealed that the mandate came from the National Health Insurance Authority following a spike in complaints from enrollees about prolonged delays and neglect at health facilities.
“Too often, patients spend the entire day at hospitals before being seen. This is unacceptable. The NHIA has now directed that the maximum waiting time for any patient under the health insurance scheme must not exceed one hour,” Ewenla said.
He likened the NHIA’s role in the health sector to the regulatory functions of the Central Bank of Nigeria in banking and PENCOM in pensions, emphasizing its responsibility to enforce standards, monitor providers, and protect patient rights.
Reacting swiftly to the NHIA directive, Ultimate Health Management Services says it has not only complied but has surpassed the benchmark.
“Today, our average waiting time is just 10 minutes, and we are working to reduce it further to five minutes,” Ewenla said.
To achieve this, the firm has deployed robust health management software and introduced a pre-booking system, allowing patients to notify the HMO in advance of their intended hospital visit. The HMO then contacts the hospital to prepare for the patient’s arrival.
“We even place reminder calls to the hospital on the morning of the patient’s visit. This is in line with global best practices. Healthcare should not be approached casually,” he said.
Ewenla stressed that quality healthcare is a fundamental right, and health insurance is the gateway to accessing that right effectively.
In what he described as a strategic move, the health expert disclosed that Ultimate HMO has launched an initiative targeting Nigerians in the diaspora who wish to support the medical needs of their ageing parents and loved ones back home.
“Many Nigerians abroad send money back home for healthcare, but this one-off approach often fails due to lack of follow-up care,” Ewenla explained.
“We’ve created a system that allows diaspora Nigerians to pay a fixed premium and enroll their dependents in a structured health insurance plan.”
The pilot has already begun in the United States, where Ewenla recently held talks with the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta, Georgia.
The outreach has extended to Nigerian-run churches, mosques, and grocery stores.
“We’re seeing growing interest from the diaspora, and we are pushing for regulatory backing to ensure wider enrollment and compliance,” he said.
Ewenla, however, noted that attitudinal change among Nigerians remains critical to success, citing a general lack of respect for systems and rules.
“We all see how Nigerians disregard simple traffic laws. The same attitude reflects in how we treat healthcare systems. That’s why we’re working closely with the government and regulatory bodies to change this narrative,” he added.
Also speaking at the AGM, the Board Chairman of Ultimate Health Management Services, Mrs. Angela Ajala, emphasized the need for HMOs to prioritize patient welfare and warned against the growing trend of delayed claims settlements by some organisations.
“We take the health and satisfaction of our enrollees very seriously. At Ultimate HMO, we ensure prompt settlement of claims because that’s the backbone of our service delivery,” Ajala said.
She urged stakeholders in the healthcare sector to embrace innovation and adapt to emerging challenges, including the rise in mental health needs, telemedicine, and care for children with special needs.
“We must be proactive. The expectations of patients are evolving, and we must think ahead to remain relevant,” she concluded.
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Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that Justice had earlier convicted Kanu on all seven counts levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment for count 1, 2, 4,5, and 6.
He also sentenced Kanu to 20 years forcount 3 without option of fine.
The Judge sentenced Kanu to five years in prison on count seven without option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ruled that he should not be kept in Kuje prison. He forfeited Nnamdi Kanu’s radio transmitter and barred him from access to social media.
More are still coming
The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death sentence on the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, following his conviction on all seven terrorism counts.
The request was made on Thursday by the FG’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), shortly after Justice James Omotosho found Kanu guilty of all charges preferred against him.
Awomolo, addressing the court after the verdict, argued that the severity of Kanu’s actions merited the maximum penalty under the law.
The senior lawyer insisted that Kanu committed “many illegalities” and should not be treated with leniency.
Awomolo further reminded the court that four of the seven counts on which Kanu was convicted carry the death sentence under Nigeria’s terrorism laws.
He urged Justice Omotosho to take this into account in determining the appropriate punishment.
“It will not be considered justice that he is isolated and punished lightly in a country where we have Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa, et cetera,” he argued.
According to the prosecution, Kanu’s actions were as destabilising as those of other violent groups and should be treated with equal seriousness.
Awomolo also urged the judge to ensure that Kanu is kept in a secure correctional facility pending the court’s final pronouncement on sentencing.
He stressed the need to prevent any disruptions or security breaches involving the IPOB leader while the sentencing process is underway.
Kanu was earlier found guilty of inciting violence, ordering attacks on security personnel, calling for killings, and issuing threats capable of terrorising the public, all captured in broadcasts tendered as evidence by the prosecution.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has delivered his ruling in the case between the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the Federal Government.
Naija News reports that the judgement was given in Nnamdi Kanu’s absence after the judge had ordered security operatives to kick him out of the court over his unruly behaviour.
Nnamdi Kanu had earlier stated that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja does not have the jurisdiction to try him.
The separatist, who has been in custody since 2021, faced seven terrorism-related charges bordering on alleged incitement, running an unlawful group, and acts threatening national security.
The IPOB leader contended that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he is being prosecuted, has been repealed.
He urged the court to strike out the charges, describing them as “disclosing no offence known to law” and therefore invalid.
Kanu also requested that the court nullify the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, claiming it was obtained through deception and contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.
He further asked the court to set aside all subsequent proceedings and order his immediate release.
“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.
Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court has the authority to preside over the Nnamdi Kanu case.
The judge also stated that the matter of extradition has been settled by the Supreme Court, and he ruled against Kanu in this regard.
On the issue of fairness in the hearing for Nnmadi Kanu, Omotosho ruled against the IPOB leader, stating that the court ensured he received a fair hearing.
On the defendant not entering his defence, Justice Omotosho said: “I begged the defendant passionately to enter his defence, but he remained obsolete. That shows that he chose to rest his case on the prosecution. Which is a gamble and a risky action.”
The court found Nnamdi Kanu guilty and convicted him of count 1 in the charges filed against him by the federal government.
The Judge said: “The court will rely on the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution. This court, therefore, finds that the prosecution has discharged Count 1 beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the defendant (Kanu) is hereby convicted in respect of Count 1.”
More judgement is being read and this report will be updated as it comes in…….
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