Abstract
Background: The core roles of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in health financing include raising of revenue and pooling of resources for health care so that health risk can be effectively shared among enrollees. This study seeks to find out the effects of NHIS on hospital staffs? financial burden and satisfaction with services rendered in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Centre. Methodology: This study was carried out in the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Staff Clinic (UITH Staff Clinic). This is a cross-sectional descriptive study with a sample size of 210 derived using Fishers formula. Semi-structured, pre-tested, interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data while the analysis was done using EPI INFO version 4.3.1. Systematic sampling technique was used to select respondents. Frequency tables and cross tabulations were generated. Chi-square and student t-test was used to determine statistical significance of observed differences in cross tabulated variables and comparison of two means respectively. Level of significance was predetermined at a p-value of less than or equal to 0.05. Result: The mean estimated amount spent on health service per month before NHIS was 3040.4+2552.8 Naira (19.0+15.95 US Dollars) and after NHIS it reduced to 782.2+637.4 Naira (4.89+3.98 US Dollars). Among the junior staff, 51 (77.3%) were satisfied with NHIS while only 15 (22.7%) were not satisfied, however among the senior staff, 75 (49.3%) were satisfied and 77 (50.7%) were not satisfied. The disadvantages of NHIS according to respondents include non-dispensing expensive drugs (60.9%), non-availability of NHIS forms (24.5%), poor attitude of health workers (10.4%) and inadequate coverage (4.2%). Conclusion: In order to achieve the Millennium envelopment Goal 1 which is to eradicate extreme poverty, NHIS is highly necessary to reduce financial burden of illnesses. It is therefore recommended that the NHIS should be stepped up to cover more Nigerians as a form of health care financing in the country. Abstract word count: 308