FORMAL SECTOR SOCIAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMME (FSSHIP) REGULATORY REFORMS: CRITICAL FACTORS

The paper aims to establish the challenges facing the implementation of the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme (FSSHIP) in South-East Nigeria as well as determine the level of awareness of FSSHIP among the federal workers in South-East Nigeria. The study relied on a survey approach. A sample size of 513 federal workers was determined using Cochran’s (1963) formula for sample determination. The sample size for each ministry selected was determined using Bowley’s proportional allocation statistical technique. In selecting the sample from each ministry, a simple random sampling technique by way of the lottery was employed. A questionnaire was used to collect data. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to obtain the data. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to test the formulated hypotheses measuring the critical factors and challenges of the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Scheme in South-East Nigeria. Although the PCA helped to reduce overfitting and eliminate noise, it required data standardization. The result indicated a very strong positive relation between the two test-retest exercises. The findings also showed that a low level of awareness, cultural and religious practices, poor public perception, corruption, and inadequate financing were critical factors that affected the scheme. These identified challenges, if unaddressed, will grossly affect the successful implementation of the scheme. Government should therefore develop strategies that would make the operations of the scheme more efficient and seamless. The successful implementation of FSSHIP indicates to the international community that Nigeria is efficient in the provision of affordable healthcare to its people and thus would attract international aid.