12/06/2026
Gombe Showcases Innovative Health Insurance Solutions at National Summit
The Gombe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (GoHealth) emerged as one of the leading voices at the Maiden National Summit of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIAs), where it showcased innovative approaches to health insurance implementation, particularly its Vulnerability Assessment Tool (VAT) and data-driven strategies for expanding healthcare coverage among vulnerable populations.
The two-day summit, held from June 8 to 9, 2026, at the International Culture and Event Centre (The Dome), Akure, Ondo State, brought together government officials, health insurance regulators, development partners, financial institutions, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Nigeria's health sector. The event was convened under the theme, "Economic Realities and the Universal Health Coverage Dream: Mobilising States for a Scalable Health Insurance Future."
Representing the Executive Secretary and Team Lead of GoHealth, Dr. Abubakar Musa, the Agency's Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Tanimu Umar, led a delegation of over a dozen officials to the summit, where Gombe State's achievements in health insurance expansion and social protection attracted significant attention from participants.
During the technical sessions on Best Practices and Innovations from State Social Health Insurance Agencies, Gombe presented its pioneering Vulnerability Index Assessment Tool (VIAT), an innovative framework developed to accurately identify, profile, and enroll vulnerable populations into health insurance schemes. The tool has contributed significantly to the development of a more robust social registry database, enabling targeted interventions and improved access to healthcare services for underserved communities.
Participants at the summit commended the innovative model, describing it as a practical solution for strengthening equity and ensuring that health insurance benefits reach those who need them most. The presentation reinforced Gombe State's growing reputation as a leading example in the implementation of sustainable and inclusive healthcare financing reforms.
The summit featured keynote presentations and panel discussions focusing on the evolution of state social health insurance schemes, sustainable financing models, expansion of coverage, enforcement of mandatory health insurance, strengthening primary healthcare systems, and domestic resource mobilization for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
In the communiqué issued at the end of the summit, participants unanimously called for stronger political commitment to Universal Health Coverage, mandatory health insurance coverage across all states, improved funding mechanisms, expansion of coverage to vulnerable populations, strengthened primary healthcare systems, and the adoption of innovative financing strategies to guarantee sustainability.
The summit further recommended the harmonization of federal and state health insurance schemes, the establishment of Health Trust Funds by state governments, deployment of digital technologies for enrollment and claims management, and reforms aimed at improving provider accountability and reducing fraud within healthcare financing systems.
Speaking on the significance of the summit, members of the Gombe delegation noted that the engagements provided an opportunity for peer learning, knowledge exchange, and the strengthening of partnerships necessary for accelerating the attainment of Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.
The Agency reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging innovation, technology, and evidence-based approaches to expand healthcare access and improve health outcomes for residents of Gombe State, particularly vulnerable and underserved populations.
The Maiden National Summit of State Social Health Insurance Agencies concluded with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to work collaboratively towards building resilient, equitable, and sustainable health insurance systems capable of delivering quality healthcare services to all Nigerians.
Dairus Samson
PRO
GoHealth
