Health insurance scheme to save Nigerian entertainers from death finally kicks off

Sequel to the constant embarrassment of the Nigerian entertainment due to the inability of entertainers to meet their medical bills, thereby leading to untimely deaths and humiliating begging that the members of the public should help them out with money, the Nigerian Entertainment Health Insurance Scheme, which’s basic aim is to ensure that Nigerian entertainers have access to good healthcare, has finally been launched.
The eagerly expected launching, which has been much hyped, held on Tuesday March 3^rd 2015, at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos and was attended by the crème de la crème of the entertainment sector.

Speaking at the launching, NEHIS’ initiator, Seun Apara, told the story of the challenges the scheme encountered before it could become a reality with the launching signifying its commencement.

“Today is not the day of long speeches,” he said, “but a day to announce to our industry that easy and affordable healthcare is now available to them throughout the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. We are happy that after a year of trying to institutionalize proper and organized health care delivery system to our industry, we are glad that we have moved several ahead from where we started.”

Also speaking, Dr Tosin Awosika, MD/CEO, Healthcare International, one of the scheme’s partners, spoke highly of it and profusely commended the initiator and his team for their doggedness and determination to bring the scheme to fruition.

“With all the hard labour and selfless sacrifices that has been put into bringing this scheme to existence, I expect everybody in this industry to enroll to it and enjoy the immense benefits.”

Entertainment personalities that included Chief Tony Okoroji, Patrick Doyle, Efe Omorogbe, Gbenga Adeyinka and Yemi Solade also took turns to encourage their entertainment colleagues to pay important attention to their health by enrolling under the private customized scheme for the industry as it covers them in all the 36 states of the country.

During his speech, Omorogbe made it known that he had already enrolled to the scheme and did same for his staff before the launch because he understands its importance.

Okoroji also enjoined the entire entertainment industry to enroll and filled his own form immediately. Doyle didn’t just collect an enrollment form for himself but also offered to pay premiums for two other people and advised other affluent individuals within the industry to do same by adopting individuals they can pay premiums for rather than waiting for them to come cap in hand begging when they became critically ill.

Talented female talking drummer, Ara, also filled her own enrollment form and took for members of her band. Tony ‘Don T’ Anifite of Dicotyledon collected 10 enrollment forms for himself and the artists under his management.

The official website for the scheme, www.neihis.org, was also unveiled to enable people access to more information. Enrollees can also fill their forms online or download the forms from the website.

The Nigerien Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme (NEIHIS) is an initiative of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Lecture Series (NEILS) in partnership with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).