Health
How SUNU Health Nigeria Restored My Faith in NHIA: A Testimony of Professionalism and Care
A senior correspondent with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Innocent Okoro Onoh, has shared his personal experience with SUNU Health Nigeria Limited, highlighting how the company ensured his wife’s safe delivery despite an ongoing medical sector strike.
In a powerful testimonial, he wrote, “For over a decade, I had dutifully enrolled in Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme, paying my dues and contributing to a system I scarcely believed in. Like many Nigerians, I had been influenced by the negative public perception surrounding NHIA—the long queues, the alleged poor treatment of enrollees, and the bureaucracy that seemed to overshadow care delivery. Despite working as a journalist and covering health events, I avoided using the scheme for my personal or family health needs.”
That perception was forever altered on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, during what could have been one of the most traumatic nights of my life—the night my wife went into labour.
My wife had registered for antenatal care at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Ikotun, Lagos. We were told that in the event of any complications, she would be referred to the General Hospital in Igando, just a stone’s throw away. Confident in the arrangement, we prepared early by purchasing delivery items worth over ₦150,000 and submitting them to the Ikotun health centre a month before her due date.
Labour began at around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29. The contractions intensified, and by 1 a.m., her water had broken. We rushed to the health centre, only to be greeted by darkness and silence. We knocked and banged the gate for over ten minutes before a security guard sluggishly emerged to let us in. Inside, we met a midwife whose hostility was immediate and shocking.
“Why did you come? Didn’t you know we joined the nationwide health workers’ strike at midnight?” she barked. The midwife, who seemed as panicked as we were, reluctantly led my wife inside with the help of a cleaner who had been mopping the floors. Her instructions were clear: “Pray she delivers before 6 a.m., because we won’t keep you here past 7 a.m.”
We were in disbelief. Two women in labour—including my wife—were left in God’s hands. No medication. No professional support. Only a clock ticking toward an ultimatum. Around 6 a.m., with no progress, both women were discharged—sent off to “find any available private hospital.”
I was frantic. My wife’s water had broken hours ago, and I feared for the life of our unborn child. It was then that I remembered my NHIA hospital, and I decided—perhaps in desperation—to give it a try. I reached out to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of SUNU Health Nigeria Ltd, the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) managing my NHIA account. He had always come across as professional and kind, often reaching out during media events. Still, I hadn’t once considered using SUNU’s services until that morning.
What followed next was nothing short of exemplary.
The PRO, upon hearing my situation, sprang into action. He immediately sent a WhatsApp message:
“Kindly take your spouse to Navy Hospital. On arrival, present yourself at the NHIA department for a mail to be sent to your HMO for approval code.”
Although I was unfamiliar with the NHIA protocol, I followed his instructions. When we arrived at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, we were shocked by the swift and warm reception. My wife’s name had already been entered in their system. The staff at the NHIA desk were courteous and efficient, welcoming us like long-expected guests.
In contrast to the unwelcoming experience at Ikotun PHC, my wife was treated like royalty. The labor room team was highly professional, and when they saw the mountain of supplies, we brought, they joked: “Are you coming to pay bride price?” They barely needed any of the items; their facility was well-equipped and properly staffed.
It was a difficult labour. My wife had to deliver a 4.1kg baby naturally. Yet, through expert care and seasoned professionalism, she delivered successfully—without a single tear.
At the NHIA desk, I was given a clearance form to fill. Again, unfamiliar with the system, I turned to the SUNU Health PRO, who immediately retrieved my NHIA registration number using a few basic details. He even connected me with other SUNU personnel, all of whom were impressively responsive and helpful. Every step of the process—from admission to discharge—was seamless, paperless, and stress-free.
On Saturday, we were discharged. We paid nothing. Not a single naira.
In over 20 years of experiencing Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, this stands out as my best encounter. Not because it was perfect, but because it restored something I had lost—faith in the system.
If every Nigerian on the NHIA scheme experienced what I did through SUNU Health Nigeria Ltd, then the national health insurance programme is indeed working. SUNU Health demonstrated that with professionalism, empathy, and commitment to quality care, NHIA can live up to its vision of universal health coverage for all Nigerians.
To the entire management and staff of SUNU Health Nigeria Ltd, I say thank you. You didn’t just deliver a baby—you rebuilt trust in a national institution. You reminded me that behind every health scheme are people who care, and professionals who are ready to serve.
I hope more enrollees will begin to use their NHIA services, and that other HMOs emulate the high standards SUNU Health has set.
The future of health insurance in Nigeria is bright—if SUNU is anything to go by.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The federal government has urged global investors and innovators to tap into the Nigerian healthcare ecosystem, which is projected to grow by 7.1 per cent, reaching a market value of $161.7 million by 2027.
This advice was given by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Mr Isiaq Salako, at the opening of the World Health Expo (WHX in Lagos 2026), formerly known as Medic West Africa, on Tuesday in Lagos.
The broader West African market is expected to reach more than $11 billion, providing investors with an opportunity to get a good return on investment.
“Nigeria is open for healthcare investment. We want platforms like WHX in Lagos to serve as a critical conduit for translating this investment ambition into tangible technology access for our hospitals and patients,” the Minister, who declared the event open on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, said.
He praised the organisers of the expo, which welcomed over 8,000 healthcare professionals and 500 exhibitors spanning 40 countries, for growing the programme into a vital catalyst for West African healthcare transformation.
Addressing the stark reality that between 85 per cent and 99 per cent of medical equipment and in vitro diagnostics in West Africa are currently imported, Mr Salako outlined aggressive federal interventions designed to dismantle supply chain vulnerabilities and skyrocket local manufacturing capabilities.
He also spotlighted key presidential directives, including the Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chains (PVAC) and the Presidential Executive Order for the Pharmaceutical and Allied Sectors, both engineered to catalyse health security, drive economic growth, and generate employment through strategic private-sector collaborations and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
“Our commitment to improving access to modern equipment and technologies in hospitals is backed by concrete action. The government has inaugurated the $1.2 billion Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) initiative, a comprehensive overhaul addressing financing, workforce development, and infrastructure.
“Furthermore, for the 2025 fiscal year, the Federal Government committed N402 billion specifically for health sector infrastructure investment,” he stated, also highlighting an expansive health infrastructure upgrade program in partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
According to him, this phased initiative is actively delivering oncology and nuclear medicine centres across six tertiary hospitals, alongside establishing 22 modern medical diagnostic centres, seven cardiac catheterisation laboratories, and expanded radiology and clinical pathology capabilities distributed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Also speaking, the chief executive of EHA Clinics, Dr Ifunanya Ilodibe, stressed the urgent need to support and unify fragmented growth within the healthcare system, noting that WHX serves as the precise ecosystem platform required to bring together policymakers, clinicians, and investors to move actionable strategies forward.
Also, the President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) and Country Director of PharmAccess, Njide Ndili, said, “HFN bridges the gaps in health financing, opening up critical connections to achieve true health sovereignty,” praising Africa CDC’s historical intervention, particularly during the Ebola crisis and urged participants to utilise the WHX exhibition floor to forge collaborations capable of scaling locally produced medical equipment.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Mr Akin Abayomi, on his part, highlighted the enforcement of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act in Lagos State as a landmark regulatory milestone. The Act mandates health insurance for all residents, structuring the financial environment to guarantee medical protection across various socioeconomic levels.
Delivering the keynote address, the Special Regional Representative of the Director General of the Africa CDC Western Regional Coordinating Centre, Prof. Aliko Ahmed, called on leaders in geopolitical positions to enact liberating trade policies aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to shape the continental agenda, emphasising that the Africa CDC will fiercely prioritise building trust in locally manufactured healthcare products.
WHX in Lagos 2026 runs for three days, featuring accredited forums, cutting-edge product showcases, and high-level networking tracks designed to translate billions in public and private investment into immediate technology access for hospitals and patients.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The coroner’s inquest into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, suffered a major setback on Wednesday after Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital informed the coroner’s court that it had obtained an order of the Lagos State High Court staying further proceedings in the probe.
The matter came before Coroner Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji at Court 9, Igbosere Magisterial District, Yaba, Lagos, and was scheduled for the commencement of witness’ testimony.
Counsel to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Professor Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), told the court that the hospital had initiated judicial review proceedings challenging, among other issues, the jurisdiction of the Coroner’s Court to conduct the inquest in the absence of the deceased’s body.
He disclosed that the High Court had granted leave for the judicial review application and ordered that the leave operate as a stay of proceedings pending the determination of the suit.
The senior advocate also informed the court that although the Lagos State Attorney-General’s Office denied seeing the originating processes from the High Court, proof of service was available.
Responding on behalf of the family, Mr Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) confirmed receipt of both the originating processes and the High Court order.
While acknowledging the obligation of all parties to comply with court orders, he informed the coroner that the family had already filed four witness statements on oath, including that of Dr Ivara Esege, as well as statements from independent medical experts from Nigeria and the United States, who are expected to testify at the inquest.
Mr Pinheiro urged the court not to adjourn the matter indefinitely, but to a definite date after the court vacation to enable parties to report on developments in the High Court proceedings.
He also highlighted the need for transparency and public confidence in the fact-finding process, saying, “He who is innocent does not fear an open inquest.”
Counsel representing Atlantis Paediatric Hospital supported the request for a definite adjournment rather than an indefinite postponement.
Following submissions by counsel, the Coroner adjourned the matter until October 8, 2026, for a report on the status of the High Court proceedings.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About $50 million has been promised by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, through its First Response Fund (FRF), to support the response to the ongoing Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak.
A statement from the organisation made available to Business Post on Monday said up to $40 million would be available to enable accelerated access to investigational doses and, eventually, approved vaccines, while a further $10 million would support outbreak response and protection of routine immunisation services in impacted countries.
“We need to act now to ensure that, once one or more vaccine candidates are ready, manufacturers are in a position to start producing doses at scale,” the chief executive of Gavi, Dr Sania Nishtar, was quoted as saying.
“Leveraging this allocation, Gavi will work closely with CEPI and partners to design the right incentives to achieve this goal, exploring all options, including potential Advance Purchase Commitments.
“This effort, alongside ensuring emergency funds are on hand to support outbreak response and protect routine immunisation services in the communities impacted, is exactly what our First Response Fund was designed for,” Dr Nishtar added.
The First Response Fund is the only globally approved mechanism that allows “at-risk” financing for scaled-up production of vaccines under development. This means Gavi is able to make vital early investments even when development outcomes are uncertain.
The $40 million in immediate surge financing that has been approved today will enable manufacturers of the leading candidates of a vaccine against the Bundibugyo virus to directly commit to high-capacity manufacturing.
This, in turn, will ensure that, as soon as clinical trials demonstrate positive outcomes, investigational vaccine doses could be deployed rapidly to support outbreak response.
Looking to the longer-term, Gavi will also provide incentives for manufacturers to adopt the fastest pathways towards WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) and/or WHO Prequalification (PQ), which are critical global approvals that will enable the rapid use of these vaccines in future emergencies.
In the coming weeks, Gavi will finalise the design of a financial mechanism that leverages the $40 million FRF allocation to achieve these vaccine access goals, in close partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) as well as WHO, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and UNICEF.
The final design will take into account the characteristics of individual vaccine candidates and the needs of their manufacturers and may include mechanisms such as Advance Purchase Commitments. Work will also be undertaken to ensure successful candidates from African-based vaccine manufacturers can benefit from accelerated support through Gavi’s African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) initiative.
In addition to these investments, Gavi will also immediately release US$ 10 million to support countries and partners with outbreak response.
This funding will support implementation of national outbreak response plans, including targeted investments to protect routine immunisation, protect health care workers and ensure readiness for future vaccines. Gavi will work closely with countries, partners including Africa CDC, WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, and donors to ensure these investments complement other efforts.
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