Governing Board Of NHIS Suspends Executive Secretary Indefinitely

By Chinedu Asadu

The governing board of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has suspended Usman Yusuf, executive secretary of the scheme, indefinitely.

Iyantu Ifene, chairman of the board, announced Yusuf’s suspension at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

Speaking to TheCable over the phone, Ifene said Yusuf was suspended over allegations of financial infractions levelled against him.

She also said the executive secretary had “refused” to carry out the board’s decisions on critical issues.

Isaac Adewole, minister of health, had suspended Yusuf last year but President Muhammadu Buhari reinstated him in February.

His reinstatement triggered criticisms but the federal government had said the development did not stop his probe by the anti-graft agencies.

When he resumed, Yusuf asked to Nigerians to disregard the “misinformation in the media”, saying no amount of smear campaigns would deter him from bringing healthcare to the people.

“It is corruption that is fighting us and we will fight them back,” he had said.

“People should not be distracted by what they hear in the media. In fact, when I came in as the NHIS Executive Secretary, I realised that we can help our people especially the poor to access health care services.

“We are working for the people in order to make sure that they get what they deserve. So, we will never be deterred by the antics of corrupt interests.”