AN ANALYSIS OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE AUTHORITY ACT 2022: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE AGEING POPULATION IN NIGERIA

The neglect of the ageing population in the provision of healthcare services has called for a change in how health services are implemented in Nigeria. Nigeria no doubt has a National Health Act 2014. However, its effectiveness in providing healthcare for the ageing population requires exploration. This study aims to review the provisions of the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 regarding the ageing population in sustainable healthcare delivery. The study adopted the secondary method of data in its literature review. The ageing population represents 3.23% of the entire population of Nigeria. The functionalist theory of Talcott Parson was used to explain the essence of sustainable healthcare services and the place of the ageing population. This study found that there are no clear-cut provisions for the ageing population. The study, therefore, recommends the amendments of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) (As Amended) and other subsidiary legislations to provide adequate provisions for the well-being of the ageing population. The study further recommends enacting the Elderly Care Act to cater to the ageing population at the national and sub-national levels of government.