IMPACT OF NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME ON BENEFICIARIES IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, BORNO STATE

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is one of the health financing options adopted by Nigeria for improved healthcare access especially to the low income earners. National health insurance scheme is a program designed to protect families from the financial hardship of huge medical bills. It was designed to provide minimum economic security to workers with regards to unfavourable losses resulting from accidental injury, sickness, old age, unemployment, etc. It is against this background that the study examined the Impact of National Health Insurance Scheme on Beneficiaries in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State The population consisted a target population of four thousand and the sample size was three hundred and sixty-three respondents used for the study (363). The primary sources of data are information gathered from questionnaires respondents through questionnaires. The findings of the study indicates that there is significant level of awareness of civil servant towards National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) on the beneficiaries in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, there is good understanding of NHIS benefits and coverage by civil servants in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, there is significant effect of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) on civil servants in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, that NHIS improved access to healthcare and reduces out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare providing financial security. The study recommends that that each Centre under the NHIS services should create a publicity department to educate the populace on the activities of the NHIS, that Healthcare service in Nigeria should be given more attention and more funds allocated to the health sector considering the implication of health on the workforce and the economy and the NHIS act was made by the military and may have omitted some important aspects, thus the act should be reviewed to make it more inclusive, and effective to be in line with the current realities.