House of Reps orders Health Minister to recall suspended NHIS boss

The House of Representatives has ordered the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, to recall the suspended executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf.

Adewole had ordered Yusuf to proceed on three months suspension with immediate effect, through a statement by Boade Akinola, Director, Media and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health.

The lawmakers alleged that the suspension of the NHIS boss was an attempt to intimidate and punish him for testifying on issues of corruption in the sector.

In a motion that was debated and adopted on Wednesday, the House concluded that the minister seemed to be victimizing Yusuf by suspending him.

The lawmakers consequently demanded the recall of the NHIS boss from suspension, adding that he should be allowed to continue with his sanitisation programme in the agency.

Speaking after plenary, Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, Chike Okafor said the development was to ensure that witnesses testifying in the House were seen to be protected.

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