Nigerian Legislation

Establishment Of The National Health Insurance Scheme, Etc.

Part II

Objectives, Functions And Powers Of The Scheme

Part III

Staff Of The Scheme

10^th May 1999

The Federal Military Government Hereby Decrees As Follows

1.  (1) There is hereby established a scheme to be known as the National Health Insurance Scheme (in this Decree referred to as "the Scheme") for the purpose of providing health insurance which shall entitle insured persons and their dependants the benefit of prescribed good quality and cost effective health services as set out in this Decree.

(2)    The Scheme -

(a) shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal; and

(b) may sue and be sued in its corporate name.

2.  (1) There is hereby established for the management of the Scheme, a Governing Council (in this Decree referred to as "the Council") which shall, subject to this Decree, have general control of the Scheme.

(2)    The Council shall consist of the following members -

(a)   the Chairman, who shall be appointed by the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, on the recommendation of the Minister of Health;

(b)   one person to represent the Federal Ministry of Health;

(c)   one person to represent the Federal Ministry of Finance;

(d)    one person to represent the Office of Establishment and Management Services in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation;

(e)    one person to represent the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association;

(f)    one person to represent the Nigeria Labour Congress;

(g)   one person to represent the registered health maintenance organisations;

(g)   one person to represent the private health care providers;

(h)   two persons to represent public interest; and

(i)    the Executive Secretary of the Scheme who shall also be the Secretary to the Council.

(3)    The Chairman shall be appointed from the private sector be a person of relevant high education, knowledge and integrity.

(4)    The other members of the Council shall -

(a)     be persons of proven integrity; and

(b)     be appointed by the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, on the recommendation of the Minister.

(5)    The supplementary provisions set out in the Schedule to this Decree shall have effect with respect to the proceedings of the Council and the other matters contained therein.

3.  (1) A member of the Council, other than an ex-officio member, shall hold office for a term of 4 years in the first instance and may be reappointed for a further term of 4 years and no more.

(2)   The members of the Council shall be paid such remunerations and allowances as the Federal Government may, from time to time, determine for the Chairmen and members of statutory boards generally.

(3)    A member of the Council, other than an ex-officio member, may resign his appointment by notice, in writing under his hand, addressed through the Minister, to the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, which resignation shall take effect only on acknowledgement by the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

4.  (l) A member of the Council shall cease to hold office

(a)    he becomes of unsound mind; or

(b)    he becomes bankrupt or makes a compromise with his creditors; or

(c)    he is convicted of a felony or of any offence involving dishonesty; or

(d)    he is guilty of serious misconduct in relation to his duties.

(2)    A member of the Council may be removed from office by the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, on the recommendation of the Minister if he is satisfied that it is not in the interest of the Scheme or the interest of the public that the member should continue in office.

(3)    Where a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Council, it shall be filled by the appointment of a successor to hold office for the remainder of the term of office of his predecessor, so however, that the successor shall represent the same interest and shall be appointed by the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

5.     The objectives of the Scheme shall be to -

(a)   ensure that every Nigerian has access to good health care services;

(b)   protect families from the financial hardship of huge medical bills;

(c)    limit the rise in the cost of health care services; (d) ensure equitable distribution of health care costs among different income groups;

(d)   maintain high standard of health care delivery services within the Scheme;.

(f)   ensure efficiency in health care services;

(g    improve and harness private sector participation in the provision of health care services;

(h)  ensure adequate distribution of health facilities within the Federation;

(i)   ensure equitable patronage of all levels of health care;

(j)   ensure the availability of funds to the health sector for improved services.

6.     The Scheme shall be responsible for -

(a)    registering health maintenance organisations and health care providers under. the Scheme;

(b)    issuing appropriate guidelines to maintain the viability of the Scheme;

(c)    approving format of contracts proposed by the health maintenance organisations for all health care providers;

(d)    determining, after negotiation, capitation and other payments due to health care providers, by the health maintenance organisations;

(e)    advising the relevant bodies on inter-relationship of the Scheme with other social security services;

(f)    the research and statistics of matters relating to the Scheme;

(g)    advising on the continuous improvement of quality of services provided under the Scheme through guidelines issued by the Standard Committee established under section 45 of this Decree;

(h)    determining the remuneration and allowances of all staff of the Scheme;

(i)     exchanging information and data with the National Health Management Information System, Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Office of Statistics, the Central Bank of Nigeria, banks and other financial institutions, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the State Internal Revenue Services and other relevant bodies;

(j)     doing such other things as are necessary or expedient for the purpose of achieving the objectives of the Scheme under this Decree.

7.     The Council shall have power to -

(a)    manage the Scheme in accordance with the provisions of this Decree;

(b)   determine the overall policies of the Scheme, including the financial and operative procedures of the Scheme;

(c)    ensure the effective implementation of the policies and procedures of the Scheme;

(d)   assess, from time to time, the research, consultancy and training programmes relative to the Scheme;

(e)   arrange for the financial and medical audit of the Zonal Health Insurance Offices established under section 21 of this Decree;

(f)    set guidelines for effective co-operation with other organisations to promote the objectives of the Scheme;

(g)   co-ordinating quarterly returns from the Zonal Health Insurance Offices;

(h)   ensuring public awareness about the Scheme;

(i)    co-ordinating manpower training under the Scheme;

(j)    carry out such other activities as are necessary and expedient for the purpose of achieving the objectives of the Scheme as set out in this Decree.

8. (1) There shall be appointed by the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, on the recommendation of the Minister, an Executive Secretary

(2)     The Executive Secretary shall -

(a)     be a person with relevant qualification and experience;

(b)     be the chief executive and accounting officer of the Scheme

(c)     hold office -

(i)    for a period of 5 years in the first instance and may be re-appointed for a further term of 5 years and no more; and

(ii)   on such terms and conditions as may be specified in his letter of appointment.

(3)    The Executive Secretary shall, subject to the general direction of the Council, be responsible for -

(a)     the day-to-day administration of the Scheme;

(b)     keeping the books and proper records of the proceedings of the Council;

(c)     the administration of the secretariat of the Council; and

(d)     the general direction and control of all other employees of the Scheme.

(4)     The Council shall -

(a)   appoint, for the Scheme, such number of directors and other employees as may, in the opinion of the Council, be required to assist the Council in the discharge of any of its functions under this Decree; and

(b)    pay to persons so appointed such remuneration (including allowances) as the Council may, after consultation with the Federal Civil Service Commission, determine.

9. (1) The Council shall appoint for the Scheme, a licenced actuary on such terms and conditions of service as the Council may, from time to time, determine.

(2)    The actuary shall review the Scheme and evaluate it actuarially, including the rates of contributions payable under the Scheme and make appropriate recommendations to the Council.

(3)    If, having regard to the review and evaluation carried out by the actuary under subsection (2) of this section, the Council considers that the rates of contributions have not retained their value in relation to the general level of earning obtaining in Nigeria, the Council may modify the rates to the extent considered appropriate and bring the new rates to the notice of the persons affected by the modification.

10. (1) Service in the Scheme shall be approved service for purposes of the Pensions Act.

(2)    Employees of the Scheme shall be entitled to pensions, gratuities and other retirement benefits as are enjoyed by persons holding equivalent grades in the civil service of the Federation.

(3)    Nothing in subsections (1) and (2) of this section or in this Decree shall prevent the appointment of a person to any office on terms which preclude the grant of pension and gratuity in respect of that office.

(4)    For the purposes of the application of the provisions of the Pensions Act, any power exercisable thereunder by a minister or other authority of the Government of the Federation, other than the power to make regulations under section 23 of the Act, is hereby vested in and shall be exercisable by the Council and not by any other person or authority

11. (1) he Council shall establish and maintain for the Scheme a fund from which shall be defrayed all expenditure incurred for the purposes of the Scheme.

(2)    There shall be paid and credited to the fund established in pursuance of subsection (1) of this section -

(a)    such money as may be received from the health maintenance organisations;

(b)    such money as may be granted or received from the Federal, State and Local Governments;

(c)    such money as may, from time to time, be granted or received from -

(i)     the organised private sector,

(ii)    international or donor organisations and non-Governmental organisations;

(d)   dividends and interests on investments and stocks; and

(e)    all other money which may, from time to time, accrue to the Scheme.

(3)    The Scheme shall, from time to time, apply the funds at its disposal -

(a)     to the cost of the administration of the Scheme;

(b)     to the payment of fees, allowances and benefits of members of the Council;

(c)     to the payment of salaries, allowances and benefits of officers and employees of the Scheme;

(d)    for the maintenance of any property vested in the Scheme or under its administration; and

(e)    for and in connection with the objectives of the Scheme under this Decree.

(4)    The Scheme shall invest any money not immediately required by it in Federal Government securities or in such other securities as the Council may, with the approval of the Minister, from time to time, determine.

12. (l)  The Scheme may accept gifts of land, money or other property on such terms and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the person or organisation making the gift.

(2)    The Scheme shall not accept any gift if the conditions attached by the person or organisation offering the gift are inconsistent with the objectives and functions of the Scheme under this Decree.

13. (l) The Council shall cause to be prepared, not later than 30th September in each year, an estimate of the expenditure and income of the Scheme during the next succeeding year and when prepared, they shall be submitted to the Minister for approval.

(2)    The Council shall cause to be kept proper accounts the Scheme and proper records in relation thereto and when certified by the Council, the accounts shall be audited by auditors appointed by the Council from the list and in accordance with the guidelines supplied by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

(3)    Any member, agent or employee of the Scheme who fails, without reasonable cause, to comply with a requirement an auditor under subsection (2) of this section, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N 10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

14.    The Council shall, not later than 6 month immediately following the end of a year -

(a)    submit to the Minister a report on the activities and the administration of the Scheme during the immediately preceding year and shall include in the report the audited accounts of the Scheme and the auditor's report on the accounts; and

(b)    present the audited annual accounts, auditor's report on the accounts and report on the activities of the Scheme to an Annual Meeting comprising the registered contributors to the Scheme and all the registered health maintenance organisations and health care providers under the Scheme.

15. (l) The Scheme shall be exempted from the payment of tax on any income accruing from investments made by the Council for the Scheme or otherwise howsoever.

(2)    The provisions of any enactment relating to the taxation of companies or trust funds shall not apply to the Scheme or the Council.

16. (1) An employer who has a minimum often employees may, together with every person in his employment, pay contributions under the Scheme, at such rate and in such manner as may be determined, from time to time, by the Council

(2)    An employer under the Scheme shall cause to be deducted from an employee's wages the negotiated amount of any contribution payable by the employee and shall not, by reason of the employer's liability for any contribution (or penalty thereon) made under this Decree, reduce, whether directly or indirectly, the remuneration or allowances of the employee in respect of whom the contribution is payable under this Decree.

17. (1) For the purposes of the application of the provisions of the Pensions Act, any power exercisable thereunder by a minister or other authority of the Government of the Federation, other than the power to make regulations under section 23 of the Act, is hereby vested in and shall be exercisable by the Council and not by any other person or authority

.

(2)     An application for the registration of an employer under the Scheme shall be made in such form and manner as may be determined, from time to time, by the Council.

(3)    A person not liable to pay contributions under this Decree may apply to be registered as a voluntary contributor under the Scheme and shall, after being so registered, be liable to pay the specified contributions as required under this Decree and be entitled to the health services referred to in subsection (1) of section 18 of this Decree.

18. (1) A health care provider registered under the Scheme shall, in consideration for a capitation payment in respect of each insured person registered with it, or for payment of approved fees for services rendered and to that extent and in the manner prescribed by this Decree, provide -

(a) defined elements of curative care;

(b) prescribed drugs and diagnostic tests;

(c) maternity care for up to four live births for every insured person;

(d) preventive care, including immunization, family planning, ante natal and post natal care;

(e) consultation with defined range of specialists;

(f) hospital care in a public or private hospital in a standard ward during a stated duration of stay for physical or mental disorders;

(g) eye examination and care, excluding test and the ad provision of spectacles; and

(h) a range of prosthesis and dental care as defined.

(2)    The registration of health care providers under the Scheme shall be in such form and manner as may be determined by the Council, from time to time, under this Decree.

(3)    In this section, "defined" means defined by the Council

19.  (1) The Council shall approve and register for the Scheme private and public health maintenance insurance organisations (in this Decree referred to individually ~ "organisation") for the purposes of this Decree.

(2)    The registration of an organisation under the Scheme shall be in such form and manner as may be determined, from time to time, by the Council, using guidelines which shall include provisions requiring the organisation to -

(a)    be financially viable before and after registration;

(b)    make a complete disclosure of the ownership structure and composition of the organisation;

(c)    have account with one or more banks approved by the Council;

(d)    be insured with an insurance company acceptable to the Council; and

(e)    give an undertaking that the organisation shall manage and invest the funds accruing to it from contributions received pursuant to this Decree in accordance with guidelines to be issued, from time to time, by the Council

(3)    The registration of an organisation under the Scheme -

(a)    shall be valid for such period as may be determined by the Council; and

(b)    may be renewed at the expiry of every registration, so however that, no registration shall be renewed unless the organisation concerned has complied with guidelines issued under this Decree.

20.    An organisation referred to in subsection (1) of section 19 of this Decree shall have responsibility for -

(a) the collection of contributions from eligible employers and employees under this Decree;

(b) the collection of contributions from voluntary contributors under subsection (3) of section 17 of this Decree;

(c)    the payment of capitation fees for services rendered by health care providers registered under the Scheme;

(d)    rendering to the Scheme returns on its activities as may be required by the Council;

(e)    contracting only with the health care providers approved by the Scheme for the purpose of rendering health care services under this Decree;

(f)    ensuring that contributions are kept in accordance with guidelines issued by the Council and in banks approved by the Council; and

(g)    establishing a quality assurance system to ensure that qualitative care is given by the health care providers.

21.    The Council shall divide the country into such number of Zones as it may, from time to time, determine, and establish in each  one, a  Zonal Health Insurance Office (in this Decree referred to as "Zonal Office").

22.    A Zonal Office shall be responsible in the Zone for -

(a)    determining the areas in which there are sufficient servi~es for the Scheme to operate;

(b)    strategic planning for the successful implementation of the Scheme;

(c)    undertaking programmes for phasing-in the Scheme;

(d)    maintaining a register of health care providers;

(e)    inspecting health care providers and their facilities to ensure that they maintain good quality services;

(f)    developing health care services in areas where those services are not adequate; (g) collecting statistics on consultations and admissions to hospitals, including length of stay;

(h)    preparing reports, accounts and statistical returns and forwarding them to the Council;

(i)    the general administration of the Scheme;

(j)    promoting the good relations of the Scheme;

(k)    doing such things which, by this Decree or any other enactment, are required or permitted to be done by the scheme as may, from time to time, be directed by the Council.

23. (1) There shall be paid and credited to the account of a Zonal Office -

(a) such money as may be granted as allocation from the Scheme

(b) such money as may be granted by or received from the States and Local Governments within the Zone;

(c) such money as may, from time to time, be granted or recorded as voluntary contributions by persons and organisations.

(2) The Zonal Office shall apply the sums at its disposal -

(a)    to the cost of administration of the Zonal Office;

(b)    for the training of members of staff of the Zonal Office;

(c)    to the payment of salaries, allowances and benefits of officers and employees in the Zonal Office; and

(d)    for and in connection with the objectives of the Scheme under this Decree.

(3)     All money received by a Zonal Office shall be paid into an account approved by the Council and no money shall be withdrawn from the account except -

(a)    by means of cheques signed by such persons as the Council may specially authorise in that behalf; or

(b)    by such other means as the Council may, from time to time, approve.

(4)    Subject to the provisions of section 11(4) of this Decree, any money not immediately required to meet the obligations of the Zonal Office shall be invested by the Council having regard to the need to -

(a) allow for the safe retrieval of the money invested, together with the return on interest sufficient to maintain the real purchasing power of the money;

(b) secure a rate of return at least equal to that assured by the actuary in the last actuarial review under this Decree; and

(c) provide for the realisation of the investments to be consistent with the future liabilities of the Zonal Office

24. (l) A Zonal Office shall prepare an annual report of its activities and operations after the end of each financial year and shall submit to the Council the annual report together with the audited accounts referred to in this Decree.

(2)     Notwithstanding the submission of the report referred to in subsection (1) of this section, the Council may require a Zonal Office to obtain from the auditors appointed under this Decree, such other reports, statements or explanations in connection with the Scheme and operations of the Zonal Office as the Council may, from time to time, consider expedient.

25. (1) The auditors appointed under this Decree shall be entitled at all reasonable times to require to be produced to them accounts and other records kept by a Zonal Office and to inquire from any member, agent or employee of the. Zonal Office such information and explanations as in the opinion of the auditors are necessary for the purpose of their audit.

(2)     Any member, agent or employee of a Zonal Office who fails, without reasonable cause, to comply with a requirement of an auditor under subsection (1) of this section, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

26. (1) There shall be established for each State of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as and when necessary, a State Health Insurance Arbitration Board and a Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Arbitration Board, respectively, (in this Decree referred to as "Arbitration Board").

(2)    The Arbitration Board shall be charged with the responsibility of considering complaints made by any aggrieved party -

(a) of violation of any of the provisions of this Decree; or id

(b) against any of the agents of the Scheme; or

(c) against an organisation or a health care provider.

(3)    A complaint made under subsection (2) of this section shall be made in writing within 60 days from the date of the action giving rise to the complaint, notwithstanding that credible reasons have been rendered for the action.

(4)    The period specified in subsection (3) of this section may be extended if the Arbitration Board is satisfied that the complainant was justifiably unable to make the complaint within that period.

27. (l) The Arbitration Board shall consist of -

(a)    a chairman who shall be a legal practitioner with not less than 15 year post qualification experience;

(b)    one person each to represent each of the following -

(i) the Nigerian Medical Association in the State or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,

(ii) the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association in the State or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,

(iii) the Nigerian Labour Congress in the State or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,

(iv) the National Association Nigerian Nurses and Midwives in the State or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and

(v) the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria in the State or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as the case may be; and

(c)    two persons to represent the public interest.

(2)    The members of the Arbitration Board shall be -

(a)    appointed by the Military Administrator of the State or the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as the case may be, on such terms and conditions as may be specified in their letters of appointment; and

(b)    paid such sitting and other allowances as the Council may decide.

(3)    The quorum of any sitting of the Arbitration Board shall be five members.

(4)    The Chairman of the Arbitration Board shall convene all meetings of the Arbitration Board.

(5)    Subject to subsection (3) of this section, the Arbitration Board may make provisions regulating its own proceedings.

(6)    There shall be for the Arbitration Board a secretary who shall be appointed by the Council on such terms and conditions as the Council may determine.

28. (1) Any person who -

(a)    fails to pay into the account of an organisation and within the specified period any contribution liable to be paid under this Decree; or

(2)    A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) of this section is liable on conviction -

(a)    in the case of a first offence, to a fine of N100,000 or 500 per centum of the amount of the contribution involved, together with accrued interest on the contribution, whichever is higher, or imprisonment for a .,term not exceeding two years or less than one year or to both such fine and imprisonment; and

(b)    in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of N200,000 or 1000 per centum of the amount of the contribution involved together with accrued interest on the contribution, whichever is higher, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or less than two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

29. (1) Where an offence under this Decree has been committed by a body corporate or firm or other association of individuals, a person who at the time of the commission of the offence -

(a)    was an officer of the body corporate, firm or other association; or

(b)    was purporting to act in the capacity of an officer of the body corporate, firm or other association,

is deemed to have committed the offence and liable to be prosecuted and punished for the offence in like manner as if he had himself committed the offence, unless he proves that the act or omission constituting the offence took place without his knowledge, consent or connivance.

(2)    In this section, "officer", includes -

(a)    in the case of a body corporate, a director, chief executive by whatever name called, manager and secretary of the body corporate;

(b)    in the case of a firm, a partner, manager and secretary of the firm; and

(c)    in the case of any other association of individuals, a person concerned in the management of the affairs of the association.

30.     Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Decree shall be prosecuted by -

(a)    the Attorney-General of the State or any legal officer in the Ministry of Justice of the State; and

(b)    in the case of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by the Attorney-General of the Federation or any legal officer in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

31.    The High Court of a State or of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, shall have -

(a)    jurisdiction to try offenders under this Decree; and

(b)    power, notwithstanding any thing to the contrary in any other enactment, to impose the penalties provided for offence in this Decree.

32. (1) The High Court before which a person is convicted of an offence under this Decree may, without prejudice to any civil remedy, order a person to pay to the fund of the Scheme the amount of any contributions together with interest and penalty thereon, certified by the Council to be due and payable at the date of the conviction and such amount shall be paid into the fund of the Scheme for its credit, where applicable or of the employee concerned.

(2)    Any contribution paid into the fund of the Scheme under subsection (1) of this section shall be refunded to the organisation entitled to receive the contribution.

33.    Proceedings for an offence under this Decree may be commenced at any time after the commission of the offence.

34. (l) Subject to the provisions of this Decree, the provisions of the Public Officers Protection Act shall apply in relation to any suit instituted against any officer or employee of the Scheme.

(2)    Notwithstanding anything contained in any other enactment, no suit shall lie against any member of the Council, the Executive Secretary or any other officer or employee of the Scheme for any act done in pursuance or execution of this Decree or any other enactment or law, or of any public duty or authority or in respect of any alleged neglect or default in the execution of this Decree or such enactment or law, duty or authority, shall lie or be instituted in any court unless it is commenced -

(a)    within three months next after the act, neglect or default complained of; or

(b)    in the case of a continuation of damage or injury, within six months next after the ceasing thereof.

(3)    No suit shall be commenced against a member of the Council, the Executive Secretary, officer or employee of the Scheme before the expiration of a period of one month after written notice of intention to commence the suit shall have been served upon the Scheme by the intending plaintiff or his agent.

(4)    The notice referred to in subsection (3) of this sec shall clearly and explicitly state the cause of action, the particulars of the claims, the name and place of abode of the intending plaintiff and the relief which he claims.

35.    A notice, summons or other document required authorised to be served on the Scheme under the provisions of this Decree or any other enactment on law may be served by delivering it to the Executive Secretary or by sending it by registered post and addressed to the Executive Secretary at the principal office the Scheme.

36. (1) In any action or suit against the Scheme, execution or attachment of process in the nature thereof shall issued against the Scheme unless not less than 3 months notice the intention to execute or attach has been given to the Scheme.

(2)    Any sums of moneys which may by the judgment of any court be awarded against the Scheme shall, subject to directions given by the court where notice of appeal of the said judgement has been given, be paid from the general reserve fur] of the Scheme.

37.    A member of the Council, the Executive Secretary, and any officer or employee of the Scheme shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Scheme against any liability incurred by him defending any proceeding, whether civil or criminal, if any such proceeding is brought against him in his capacity as a member, Executive Secretary, officer or other employee of the Scheme.

38.  (1) A member of the Council, the Executive Secretary officer or other employee of the Scheme shall -

(a)    not, for his personal gain, make use of any information which has come to his knowledge in the exercise of his powers or is obtained by him in the ordinary course of duty under this Decree;

(b)    treat as confidential any information which has come his knowledge in the exercise of his powers or is obtain~ by him in the performance of his functions under the Decree;

(c)    not disclose any information referred to under paragraph (b) of this subsection except when required to do so by an Arbitration Board or the court or in such other circumstances as may be prescribed by the Council, from time to time.

(2)    Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1) of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N20,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

39.    Contributions payable under the Scheme shall be inalienable and shall not be assets for the benefit of creditors in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of a contributor or an organisation.

40.    Notwithstanding anything in any law or enactment, contributions whether by an employer or an employee under this Decree shall form part of tax deductible expenses in the computation of tax payable by an employer or, as the case may be, by an employee, under any other relevant law applicable to income tax.

41.    Where, under section 591 of the Companies and Allied Matters Decree 1990, an order is made by a court under subsection (3) of that section which include the transfer to the company of the whole or any part of the undertaking and of the property and liabilities of a transferor company, the order shall include provisions for the taking over, as from such date as may be specified in the order, of any liability for any contribution which has become due and payable under the Scheme (together with any accrued interest thereon) in respect of the employees concerned in the undertaking, property or liability transferred.

42.    The provisions of the Trustee Investment Act shall not apply to any investment made by the Council under this Decree.

43.    The Federal Government may enter into a reciprocal agreement with the government of any other country in which to that established by this Decree has be the provisions of the agreement shall be read the provisions of this Decree.

44.   The Federal Government shall be responsible for payment of the contributions in respect of members of the Arm Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Prisons Service and such other Federal uniformed services as .the Minister may by order in the Gazette, specify.

45.    A health care provider (medical centre, institution professional) shall be required to take a professional indemnity cover from an insurance company approved by the Council.

46. (1) There is hereby established, for the purposes of this Decree, a Standards Committee which shall be charged with the responsibility of recommending to the Scheme guidelines for the maintenance of quality assurance among health maintenance organisations and health care providers under the Scheme and shall consist of -

(a)    a Chairman;

(b)    the Chairmen of regulatory and registration boards, councils of the health related professional bodies established by law; and

(c)    the registrars of the boards and councils referred to it paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(2)    The members of the Standard Committee shall be appointed by the Council.

(3)    The Standard Committee may make rules regulating its own proceedings.

47.    The Minister may, give to the Council directives of a general nature with respect to any of the functions of the Council and it shall be the duty of the Council to comply with such directives or cause them to be complied with.

48. (1) The Scheme may issue guidelines for .

(a)    the registration of employers and employees liable to contribute under the Scheme;

(b)    the registration of dependants of employees covered by the Scheme;

(c)    the compulsory payment of contributions by employers and employees, the rates of those contributions and the deduction by the employer of contributions payable by employees under the Scheme from any salary, wage or other money payable;

(d)    the voluntary payment of contributions by self employed and other persons and rates of such contributions;

(e)    the maintenance of the records to be kept for the Scheme and the records to be kept by employers in respect of contributions payable under the Scheme and in respect of their employees;

(f)    the methods of collecting contributions under the Scheme by the organisations;

(g)    the imposition of surcharges in respect of late payment of contributions by employers or employees;

(h)    the manner and circumstances in which contributions may be refunded;

(i)    fees which may be charged for medical and dental examinations and services provided and other things done for the purpose of the Scheme; of a uncil such

(1)    the nature and amount of benefits to be provided under the Scheme, the circumstances and the manner in which the benefits shall be provided;

(k)    the nature and amount of capitation payment under the Scheme, the circumstances and the manner in which health care providers shall receive the capitation payment made under the Scheme;

(1)    the reduction, suspension or withdrawal of any payment under the Scheme;

(m)    the submission of returns by employers regarding the employers and their employees;

(n)    the procedure for assessment of contributions made under the Scheme; and

(o)    any other matter whatsoever for which, in the opinion of the Council, it is necessary or desirable to issue guidelines for giving effect to the Scheme.

(2)    The guidelines issued under subsection (1) (c) of this section may provide for different levels of contributions to be payable by different classes of persons.

(3)    The guidelines issued under this section need not be published in the Gazette but the Council shall ensure that they are brought to the notice of the persons affected by the guidelines.

50.    In this Decree, unless the context otherwise requires-

"Arbitration Board" means the State Health Insurance Arbitration Board or the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Arbitration Board constituted under section 26 of this Decree

"benefit" means a benefit or advantage of any kind whatsoever derived from the Scheme;

"capitation" payment" means a payment to a health care provider in respect of services to be provided by him to an insured person registered by the health care provider, whether the insured person uses the services or not;

"contribution" means a contribution payable to an organisation under this Decree and includes a voluntary contribution;

"Council" means the Governing Council established under section 2 of this Decree for the Scheme;

"employee" means any person who is ordinarily resident in Nigeria and is employed in the service of the Federal, a State or Local Government in a civil capacity or in any of the public services or under a contract of service or an apprenticeship with an employer whether the contract is expressed or implied, oral or in writing;

"employer" means an employer registered under the Scheme and includes the Federal, State or Local Government or any Extra-Ministerial Department or a person with whom an employee has entered into a contract of service or apprenticeship and who is responsible for the payment of the wages or salaries of the employee including the lawful representative, successor or assignee of that person;

"fees for services" means payment made directly for completed health care services, not included in the capitation fees, and paid to health care providers or professionals following appropriate referrals or prescriptions sent to them by health care providers under the Scheme;

"functions" includes powers;

"health care provider" means any government or private health care practitioner, hospital or maternity centre registered by the Council for the provision of prescribed health services for insured persons and their dependants under the Scheme;

"insured person" means any person who pays the required contribution to the Scheme under this Decree;

"member of the Council" includes the Chairman of the Council;

"Minister" means the Minister charged with responsibility for matters relating to health and "Ministry" shall 1 construed accordingly;

"organisation" means any health maintenance organisation registered under section 19 of this Decree and includes institution, body corporate or a provident association registered by the Council to utilise its administration provide health care services through health care centres approved by the Council;

"public service of the Federation" and "public service State" have the meaning respectively assigned to them the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 197 as amended;

"Scheme" means the National Health Insurance Scheme established under section 1 of this Decree;

"wage" means remuneration in money paid to an employee under his contract of service or apprenticeship, as the case may be; and whether agreed to be paid at fixed or determined intervals of time

(a) in respect of normal period of work performed by the employee; or

(b) where payment is calculated in relation to -

(i)    set tasks, in respect of the number tasks completed by the employee, or

(ii)    the volume of work completed by the employee, in respect of the volume completed by the worker, but does II include any allowance paid by the employ~ to the employee whether in respect of co of living or otherwise howsoever.

"Zonal Office" means a Zonal Health Insurance office established under section 21 of this Decree.

49.    This Decree may be cited as the National Health Insurance Scheme Decree 1999.

Standing Orders

(2)    The quorum of the Council shall be the Chairman or the member presiding at the meeting and five other members and the quorum of any committee of the Council shall be determined by the Council.

2. (1) The Council shall meet not less than three times in each year and subject thereto, the Council shall meet. whenever it is summoned by the Chairman and if the Chairman is required to do so by notice given to him by not less than seven other members, he shall summon a meeting of the Council to be held within fourteen days from the date on which the notice is given.

(2)    At any meeting of the Council, the Chairman shall preside but if he is absent, the members present at the meeting shall appoint one of their number to preside at that meeting.

(3)    Where the Council desires to obtain ~he advice of any person on a particular matter, the Council may co-opt him to the Council for such period as it thinks fit; but a person who is in attendance by virtue of this sub-paragraph shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the Council and shall not count towards a quorum.

3.  (1) The Council may appoint one or more committees carry out, on behalf of the Council, such of its functions as t Council may determine.

(2)    A committee appointed under this paragraph shall consist of such number of persons (not necessarily members of the Council as may be determined by the Council) and a person other than a member of the Council shall hold office on the committee in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

(3)    A decision of a committee of. the Council shall be of no effect until it is confirmed by the Council.

4.  ( 1) The fixing of the seal of the Scheme shall authenticated by the signature of the Chairman, the Executive Secretary or of any other person authorised generally or specifically to act for that purpose by the Council.

(2)    Any contract or instrument, which, if made or executed by a person not being a body corporate, would not be required be under seal may be made or executed on behalf of the Council by the Chairman or any person generally or specially authorised to act for the purpose by the Council.

(3)    Any document purporting to be a document duly executed under the seal of the Council shall be received in evidence and shall, unless and until the contrary is proved, 1 presumed to be so executed.

5.     The validity of any proceeding of the Council or of committee thereof shall not be adversely affected by any vacancy in the membership of the Council or committee, or by any defect in the appointment of a member of the Council or of a committee' or by reason that a person not entitled to do so took part in fi proceedings of the Council or committee.

Made at Abuja this 10^th day of May 1999

Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

Federal Republic of Nigeria