In a move aimed at saving lives and ensuring quicker medical treatment for road crash victims, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has proposed the integration of health insurance information into driver’s licence and vehicle registration records nationwide.
Director-General of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, unveiled the proposal during a courtesy visit to the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, in Abuja.
Ohiri said the partnership would enable emergency responders and healthcare providers to immediately determine the health insurance status of crash victims, thereby eliminating delays and financial barriers often associated with emergency treatment.
According to him, the initiative would ensure that accident victims receive prompt medical attention without having to worry about payment at the point of rescue.
He explained that linking health insurance records with driver’s licences and vehicle registration databases would significantly improve emergency healthcare delivery and post-crash management across the country.
Responding, the Corps Marshal welcomed the proposal and described it as a major step towards strengthening road safety and healthcare access for Nigerians.
Mohammed commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Dr. Ohiri as NHIA Director-General, describing him as “a round peg in a round hole.”
The FRSC boss disclosed that the Corps already maintains a database of more than 12 million registered drivers and is ready to collaborate with NHIA to make health insurance enrolment a key component of driver’s licence issuance and renewal.
He noted that such a partnership would guarantee better access to healthcare services for motorists and ensure that crash victims receive immediate treatment irrespective of their financial status.
Mohammed further revealed that all FRSC clinics across the country are accredited healthcare facilities and highlighted the establishment of FRSC Health Maintenance Limited as part of efforts to provide affordable healthcare coverage for transport workers.
According to him, the initiative targets over 10 million transport operators, drivers and members of road transport unions nationwide.
The Corps Marshal also expressed the agency’s willingness to work with NHIA to incorporate National Health Insurance details into passenger manifests and other transport-related documents to strengthen emergency response systems.
He stressed that the FRSC has remained at the forefront of post-crash care in Nigeria, noting that the Corps pioneered dedicated ambulance services and established roadside clinics in accident-prone corridors across the country.
Observers say the proposed collaboration could transform emergency healthcare response in Nigeria by ensuring that accident victims are identified quickly and linked to healthcare services without delays caused by verification or payment challenges.
