Lagos (Nigeria): The Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS) has decried the removal of its members and retired workers in general from accessing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
The National Secretary, NUPCPS, Mr John Bisan, expressed displeasure at a Two-Day Sensitisation/Enlightenment Workshop on the Workings of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) on Thursday in Lagos.
Bisan described the removal as unfair and a very wrong move toward the senior citizens, who had served the country in their younger years.
He said that it was during the retirement period of their lives that they needed to effectively use the scheme, as many of the retirees often fall ill.
“I wouldn’t know whether the DG PENCOM is aware of it, that once you are 60 years of age, you are removed from NHIS, once you retire from service, even at the age of 55, once they know, you are removed from NHIS.
“This is unfair, I cannot serve my country for 35 good years, my youthful and useful age, then after leaving the service, you are now telling me I am not entitled to free health care.
“This is too bad, that is the period we need free health care, many pensioners, many retirees, many senior citizens, we are dying.
“We have BP, diabetes, heart problems, and we don’t have money to do all our tests, to buy drugs. So please, the issue of this free health service should be returned as you have promised us, and let it start now,” the national secretary said.
He suggested that the Federal and State Governments should provide for the care of senior citizens, as is the case in the UK and the US, where they have free access to healthcare.
Ms Omolola Oloworaran, the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), said that the free healthcare access initiative for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme had been rolled out.
Oloworaran, who was represented by Mr Mutiu Muslim, Head, South West Zonal Office, PENCOM, said that the healthcare initiative was a critical component of social protection and dignity in retirement.
