Evaluation of the Implementation of National Health Insurance Scheme (Nhis) in Lagos State of Nigeria

This paper evaluates the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme [NHIS] in Nigeria. It looks at the provisions of the NHIS Act No.35 of 1999 and how far its provisions had been implemented by the Agency and other stakeholders. It discusses the objectives of the scheme and how far those objectives had been implemented, using Lagos State as the Study area. Two hundred copies of structured questionnaire were prepared and administered by the researcher. In-depth questions were drawn and focus groups, i.e. enrollees, health maintenance organizations, healthcare providers and some members of the Agency (NHIS), interviewed by using the questionnaire. Five hypotheses were tested using parametric statistical methods; linear regression analysis, correlation analysis and analysis of variance [ANOVA] and the results showed that many of the provisions of the Scheme had been implemented. However, further improvements need be made. These include, making concerted efforts to bring into the Scheme, the State and Local government employees, and other organizations from the private sector of Nigerian economy. The rural community programs must be vigorously pursued by the Agency (NHIS). If all the above mentioned groups are provided with the health care programs, the Agency will become more buoyant financially and it will also be self sustaining since the scheme obeys the law of large numbers.