Background of the Study
Social health insurance schemes have emerged as a promising strategy to improve access to healthcare services and reduce financial barriers to medical treatment in Nigeria. Niger State, located in central Nigeria, has been grappling with poor health outcomes, limited healthcare accessibility, and a high burden of communicable diseases. The introduction of social health insurance in the state aims to alleviate these challenges by providing affordable healthcare coverage to the population (Aliyu & Umar, 2024). Social health insurance programs are designed to pool financial resources from contributions made by the government, employers, and individuals to offer healthcare services to beneficiaries at subsidized rates.
The Nigerian government has launched various initiatives to promote social health insurance schemes, such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which is intended to provide coverage for both formal and informal sector workers (Akinyemi et al., 2025). Niger State’s local government has adopted similar models to ensure that residents can access necessary health services without the burden of out-of-pocket payments, which often lead to delays in seeking care and worsened health conditions. Despite these efforts, significant gaps remain in terms of enrollment rates, public awareness, and the overall effectiveness of the program in improving health outcomes (Khalid & Abubakar, 2023).
The effectiveness of social health insurance schemes in improving health outcomes is a critical area of investigation, as it can help inform policy decisions and ensure the sustainability of such programs in Niger State and other regions of Nigeria. Research has shown that health insurance can contribute to improved health outcomes by facilitating access to timely and adequate care, reducing preventable hospitalizations, and increasing the utilization of preventive services (Onyango et al., 2024). However, the success of these schemes in Niger State is yet to be comprehensively examined, and understanding their impact is necessary for optimizing future health interventions.
Statement of the Problem
Although social health insurance schemes have been implemented in Niger State to improve access to healthcare, their effectiveness in enhancing health outcomes remains unclear. Challenges such as low enrollment rates, insufficient awareness, and the underutilization of services may be limiting the potential benefits of these programs. A comprehensive examination of the effectiveness of these insurance schemes is needed to identify factors that hinder their success and to make recommendations for improvement.
Objectives of the Study
Research Questions
Research Hypotheses
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study will focus on the impact of social health insurance schemes on healthcare access and outcomes in Niger State. Data will be collected from insured and non-insured individuals in urban and rural areas, and the study will involve interviews, surveys, and health outcome assessments. Limitations include potential biases in self-reported data and difficulties in assessing long-term health outcomes.
Definitions of Terms
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