Otunba Lekan Ewenla, Managing Director of Ultimate Health HMO, said Nigerians living in the United Kingdom should enroll their relatives in diaspora health insurance [1].
This shift aims to replace the common practice of sending one-time money transfers for medical emergencies with a sustainable system of coverage. By securing insurance, Nigerians abroad can ensure their dependants, and employees in Nigeria have consistent access to healthcare without relying on the speed or availability of remittances [1].
Ewenla said the initiative is designed to provide a more reliable safety net for families. He said that relying solely on sending money for medical expenses can be inefficient and may lead to delays in treatment during critical health crises [2].
"We urge Nigerians living abroad to enrol their relatives, dependants and staff in health insurance in Nigeria rather than relying solely on sending money for medical expenses," Ewenla said [1].
The call specifically targets those residing in the UK who support family members or maintain staff in Nigeria. The goal is to move toward a formalized healthcare payment model that guarantees care at the point of service [1].
Such schemes allow the policyholder to manage costs from abroad while the beneficiary receives care through a network of providers. This reduces the burden on the recipient to source funds immediately when an illness occurs [2].
“"We urge Nigerians living abroad to enrol their relatives, dependants and staff in health insurance in Nigeria."”
This appeal reflects a broader effort to formalize health financing in Nigeria by leveraging the financial power of the diaspora. By transitioning from an informal remittance-based model to a structured insurance model, the healthcare system can better predict patient volumes and ensure that low-income dependants have guaranteed access to care regardless of the immediate liquidity of their overseas sponsors.
