MS CHIOMA Ejimofor is a senior legal officer at Centre for Health Ethics Law and Development (CHELD), which is a think-tank and an implementer in the area of gender based violence and its intersections with health. She is a lawyer, social impact advocate and humanitarian. In this interview with Odinaka Anudu, she explains CHELD’s commitment to universal health coverage, and why CHELD partnered the FCT-Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) for the enrollment of Internally Displaced Persons in the FCT.

What inspired the Center for Health, Ethics, and Development to lead the enrollment of Internally Displaced Persons into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme?

At CHELD, we believe that access to healthcare is not a privilege, it is a right. Internally Displaced Persons are among the most vulnerable populations in our society, yet they are often excluded from formal health systems. We were motivated by the ethical responsibility to close that gap. When we identified the FCT Health Insurance Scheme as a viable pathway, we committed ourselves to ensuring that displacement would not translate into denial of care and that displaced persons will no longer be invisible in our healthcare system.

What were some of the major challenges you encountered while working across different IDP camps in Abuja?

The challenges were both structural and human. Many IDPs lacked basic documentation, especially the National Identification Number, which is required for enrollment. There were also issues of trust, mobility, language barriers, and fatigue from repeated unmet promises. Despite these challenges, our team and the FHIS Team remained resilient moving from camp to camp, listening, explaining, and ensuring no one was left behind.

Why was partnering with the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) critical to the success of this initiative?

Without a NIN, enrollment into any formal health insurance scheme is nearly impossible. Partnering with NIMC was a strategic and necessary step. It allowed us to tackle the root barrier to inclusion. By bringing NIMC services directly to some of the camps, we eliminated the hurdles and made it possible for IDPs to benefit from the health insurance package.

Can you describe what the enrollment process looked like on the ground?

The process was deliberate and people-centered. We first conducted sensitisation sessions to explain what health insurance means and how it benefits families. Then, with NIMC present, IDPs were registered for their NINs. Immediately after, eligible individuals were enrolled into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme.

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How does this initiative align with the broader goals of universal health coverage in Nigeria?

Universal Health Coverage cannot be achieved if displaced and marginalised populations are excluded. This initiative demonstrates that UHC is possible when systems are flexible and intentional. By enrolling IDPs into a formal health insurance scheme, we are not running a parallel system – we are strengthening the national vision of inclusive healthcare delivery.

What impact do you expect this enrollment to have on the daily lives of IDPs?

We expect an impact that is holistic and profound. Nobody should suffer displacement and still suffer health-wise. IDPs do not need to suffer for everything. A mother no longer has to choose between feeding her children and seeking medical care. Pregnant women and elderly people can be taken to a hospital without fear of being turned away for lack of payment. In real terms, this enrollment should translate into dignity, reduced suffering, and improved health outcomes.

Enrollment is one thing; access to care is another. How do you ensure that IDPs can actually use their health insurance at hospitals?

That is a critical point. Enrollment must lead to real-time access. We are engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure healthcare providers recognise and honour the insurance coverage. The FCT Health Insurance Scheme is committed to the success of this enrollment. This interview, in itself, is part of that accountability process. Once individuals are enrolled, enforcement and implementation must follow, so that no IDP is denied care at the point of service.

What message does this work send to policymakers and implementing agencies?

The message is clear: inclusion is possible when there is political will and ethical commitment. We have shown that with collaboration, existing systems can reach even the most excluded populations. The next step is consistent implementation, so that policies on paper become protection in practice.

How would you describe the role of resilience and commitment in this project?

This work required dogged determination. There were long days, logistical setbacks, and moments of uncertainty. But our team remained focused because we were driven by the faces and stories of the people we served. Resilience was not just a strategy, it was a necessity.

What does success look like for this initiative in the coming months?

Success is seeing an internally displaced person walk into an accredited facility, present their details, and receive care at no cost, without argument, delay, or humiliation. Success is when enrollment numbers translate into actual service utilisation. Ultimately, success is when this model is sustained, scaled, and replicated across Nigeria.