A Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) has urged Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to consider enrolling their families and loved ones in health insurance schemes in Nigeria to ensure easier access to healthcare and reduce the financial burden associated with medical emergencies.
The call is aimed particularly at Nigerians in the diaspora who regularly support parents, spouses, children and other relatives living in Nigeria.
For many Nigerians living abroad, medical expenses for relatives back home can become a major financial responsibility, especially when unexpected illnesses or emergencies arise. Having health insurance in place, the HMO noted, can provide a more structured way of managing such healthcare needs.
The organisation encouraged Nigerians in the UK to look beyond sending money whenever a medical emergency occurs and consider putting a comprehensive healthcare arrangement in place for their loved ones.
According to the HMO, health insurance can help families plan for healthcare expenses while giving beneficiaries access to a network of healthcare providers under the terms of their chosen plan.
The recommendation is also coming amid continued concerns about the high level of out-of-pocket healthcare spending in Nigeria. Many Nigerians still pay directly for consultations, laboratory tests, medications and hospital treatment, which can place considerable pressure on household finances.
For Nigerians living outside the country, the situation can be particularly challenging because they may have to send money at short notice whenever a relative requires medical attention.
The HMO said diaspora health insurance could help address this problem by allowing Nigerians abroad to arrange healthcare coverage for their families before an emergency occurs.
Such arrangements can also provide greater peace of mind for people who live thousands of kilometres away from their relatives and may not always be able to travel home when a medical situation arises.
The organisation encouraged prospective subscribers to carefully examine the benefits included in any health insurance plan before enrolling their families.
Factors such as the hospitals within the provider's network, covered medical services, exclusions, payment arrangements and procedures for accessing treatment should be considered before a plan is selected.
Nigerians in the UK were also advised to use reputable and properly regulated health insurance providers and to ensure that they understand the terms and conditions attached to their chosen plans.
The HMO stressed that health insurance should not be regarded only as a solution for emergencies but as part of a broader approach to ensuring continuous access to healthcare.
Regular medical care can help families identify and manage health problems earlier, while insurance coverage can reduce the immediate financial pressure associated with seeking treatment.
The call also reflects the growing importance of the Nigerian diaspora in supporting households and communities back home. Nigerians living abroad regularly send money to relatives in Nigeria for education, housing, food and healthcare.
Organising healthcare through insurance could provide a more predictable way of supporting family members and reduce the need for repeated emergency transfers.
For elderly parents and other relatives who may require regular medical attention, having an established health insurance plan can also make it easier to access healthcare when necessary.
The HMO urged Nigerians in the UK to discuss healthcare needs with their families before choosing a plan and ensure that the coverage matches the medical requirements of the beneficiaries.
It further encouraged diaspora Nigerians to view health insurance as a form of long-term planning rather than an unnecessary expense.
With the cost of medical treatment continuing to rise, advance planning could help families manage healthcare expenses more effectively and reduce the risk of being overwhelmed by unexpected medical bills.
The organisation said increased enrolment would also contribute to the broader development of Nigeria's health insurance system by encouraging more people to move away from relying entirely on direct payments for medical treatment.
The push for greater health insurance coverage is consistent with Nigeria's broader efforts to achieve universal health coverage and reduce the financial hardship associated with accessing healthcare.
For Nigerians living in the UK, the message is therefore clear: supporting family members back home can go beyond sending money when illness occurs. Putting appropriate health insurance coverage in place can provide a more organised and sustainable approach to meeting their healthcare needs.
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