UNILAG Medical Centre Partners with HMO to Educate Staff on Health Insurance Rights and Benefits

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Medical Centre, in collaboration with Ultimate Health Management Services (HMO), hosted an interactive session on the Public Sector Health Insurance Programme (PSHIP) on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Tolu Odugbemi Hall.

The session aimed to enlighten staff and their dependents on the workings of the scheme, address challenges in accessing quality healthcare, and provide guidance on maximizing benefits.

Bridging the Healthcare Gap
In her welcome remarks, the Director of the Medical Centre, Dr. (Mrs.) Olayinka Coker, highlighted the centre’s role as a vital link between the HMO and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). She encouraged full engagement from participants to ensure better understanding of the scheme and its benefits.

Programme Overview and Commitment
Chief Otunba Lekan Ewenla, CEO and MD of Ultimate Health HMO, explained the programme’s financial structure, noting that 10% of a federal employee’s basic salary is dedicated to health insurance coverage. He assured participants of the HMO’s commitment to enforcing quality standards for healthcare providers and invited beneficiaries to report any substandard care directly to him for prompt resolution.

Understanding NHIS Benefits and Rights
Miss Oluwabunmi Johnson, Client Retention and Relationship Officer at Ultimate Health HMO, provided a comprehensive overview of the NHIS, emphasizing its role in:

• Protecting families from high medical costs
• Controlling rising healthcare expenses
• Ensuring fair cost distribution across income groups
• Encouraging private sector participation in healthcare delivery

She also outlined key rights of NHIS beneficiaries, including:

• Choice of Care: Freedom to select an accredited Primary Healthcare Facility (PHF)
• Switching Providers: Right to change PHF after six months (₦1,000 fee applies)
• Access to Care: Receiving treatment once listed on the enrollee register
• Emergency Care: Immediate treatment at the nearest accredited facility
• Dependents: Adding or removing dependents with NHIS approval (extra dependents: ₦1,000)
• Fair Treatment: Assurance of proper and non-discriminatory healthcare

Participants raised concerns over occasional poor treatment at affiliated hospitals, and Chief Ewenla reaffirmed the HMO’s dedication to addressing all complaints promptly.

The session reinforced UNILAG Medical Centre’s commitment to ensuring that staff and their families fully benefit from health insurance entitlements, thereby enhancing access to quality healthcare within the University community.