The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) and the Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) have established the Board of Trustees for the Medical Intervention Initiative for Healthcare Access (MIIHA). This initiative aims to support Nigerians who struggle to afford timely medical care. According to a statement released in September 2026, MIIHA will bring together healthcare institutions and partners to address financial and other barriers to treatment.
Oladele Akinyemi has been appointed to chair the MIIHA Board of Trustees. The board has started developing a strategic and technical framework for the initiative. Paschal Achunine, Executive Director of HEI, emphasized that the partnership will help coordinate efforts to reach people who cannot afford medical care due to financial constraints. He highlighted that MIIHA seeks to build a practical and sustainable platform to respond to the healthcare needs of vulnerable Nigerians.
Akinyemi stated that the board will provide leadership and oversight, with a strong focus on accountability. He noted that the success of MIIHA depends on building a credible, accountable, and sustainable institution. The board's responsibility is to ensure that the initiative delivers meaningful value to the people it serves. This involves establishing a robust framework to guarantee the initiative's effectiveness and transparency.
Njide Ndili, President of HFN and Country Director of PharmAccess, pointed out that the availability of health services alone does not guarantee access for those unable to reach or pay for them. He emphasized that MIIHA provides an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and develop interventions that prioritize people's healthcare needs. Ndili highlighted the importance of addressing both the availability and accessibility of healthcare services.
The MIIHA Board of Trustees comprises notable figures from the healthcare and insurance sectors. Members include Aminu Tukur, Vice Chairman of Noor Takaful Insurance Ltd; Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, former Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health; and Dr. Olayemi Dawodu, Managing Director of Cerba Lancet. Other members are Hyginus Omeje, retired Deputy Corps Marshal; Professor Ryan Garba Muhammad, Provost of the College of Medicine, Maryam Abacha University, Kano; Dr. Taofiq Segun Oyedokun, a Canada-based emergency physician; and Dr. Mathias Yashim, Chief Executive Officer of Hope Builders International.
At its inaugural meeting, the board agreed to build partnerships and mobilize resources to support healthcare access. The initiative will complement existing government and healthcare systems. The implementation framework will focus on accountability, sustainability, and measurable results. This approach aims to ensure that MIIHA achieves its objectives and makes a tangible impact on healthcare access in Nigeria.
HEI and HFN have previously announced a medical intervention trust fund to support emergency treatment. HEI's earlier interventions included training road safety officials in emergency response and supporting hospital bills for vulnerable patients. The launch of MIIHA represents a significant step towards enhancing healthcare access for vulnerable Nigerians. The initiative has the potential to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in healthcare access.
Key points
- The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria and the Health Emergency Initiative have launched the Medical Intervention Initiative for Healthcare Access to support vulnerable Nigerians.
- The initiative's board of trustees is chaired by Oladele Akinyemi and includes notable figures from the healthcare and insurance sectors.
- MIIHA aims to build a practical and sustainable platform to respond to the healthcare needs of vulnerable Nigerians while strengthening collaboration across the health sector.
