The need for the speedy implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) topped talks during an advocacy visit of the National Executive Secretary of the scheme, Dr. Femi Thomas, to the Abia State Government in Umuahia.

At the discussion session on Monday, Dr. Thomas said that the NHIS was described as a mandatory tool necessary for the achievement of the universal health coverage that would ensure quick access to quality health care.

Africa Nations have unanimously agree that by 2025, universal health coverage should be attained.

However, the Federal Ministry of Health, led by Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, believes that it is feasible by 2020 in Nigeria if all stakeholders in health join hands to spread the campaign.

This could have necessitated the visit by the National Executive secretary of the scheme to Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, to solicit support of the Government to kick-off the campaign in public schools and in the rural areas

The cost implication of running the programme for this year is enormous and the financial burden would be borne by the Federal Ministry of Health and this would include the data capturing of all the students.

However, in subsequent years, the cost would be shared between the Federal Government and the 36 states of the federation.

For Abia State Government, Investment in Health Sector is a major priority that is why the state has already keyed into the scheme by given the directives for all the work force to be integrated into it.

At the end of the meeting, it was emphasised that the NHIS was the key to basic universal health access and the need for everyone to join hands to ensure proper implementation was also stressed.