By David Akinmola
AXA Mansard Health has been named Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) of the Year by Afriglobal Medicare, a recognition that underscores the growing role of private health insurers in expanding access to quality healthcare as Nigeria records increased health insurance coverage under ongoing sector reforms.
The award comes amid renewed efforts by the Federal Government and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to deepen health insurance penetration, strengthen primary healthcare delivery and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage through greater public-private sector collaboration.
Presented by Afriglobal Medicare, an ISO-certified diagnostic and healthcare provider, the award recognises AXA Mansard Health’s contributions to healthcare innovation, customer service and the delivery of quality health insurance solutions.
Speaking on the recognition, the Chief Executive Officer of AXA Mansard Health, Tope Adeniyi, described the award as a testament to the commitment of the company’s employees and the confidence reposed in it by customers and healthcare partners.
According to him, the recognition reflects the organisation’s continued focus on delivering accessible, innovative and customer-centric healthcare services.
“This significant recognition is important to AXA Mansard’s employees around the country who pride themselves in serving with utmost attention and care, our customers who put their trust in us every day to deliver on our promise when it matters most, and the communities that rely on us for continuous support,” he said.
Adeniyi noted that the recognition reinforces the importance of sustained investment in preventive healthcare, effective health financing and strategic partnerships to improve health outcomes across the country.
Also commenting, the Chief Marketing Officer of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, Adebola Surakat, said the award challenges the organisation to continue raising standards in healthcare delivery and developing innovative solutions that improve access to quality medical care.
“This award is a reminder that the standard remains excellence on all fronts. It is a charge to keep improving the quality of care delivered to our customers and continue to provide cutting-edge healthcare solutions that impact the lives of those who need them most,” she said.
According to recent data from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), about 22 million Nigerians are now covered by health insurance, representing an increase of approximately six million from 2023. In addition, more than ₦70 billion has been deployed through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to strengthen primary healthcare services and expand access to care for vulnerable populations.
Healthcare and insurance stakeholders said the recognition reflects the increasingly important role of Health Maintenance Organisations in supporting Nigeria’s healthcare financing system, particularly as demand for affordable and quality healthcare services continues to rise.
They noted that while health insurance coverage has improved in recent years, millions of Nigerians remain outside the formal health insurance system, underscoring the need for greater awareness, digital innovation and stronger collaboration between HMOs, healthcare providers and government agencies.
The stakeholders added that sustained investment in preventive healthcare, technology-driven service delivery and customer-focused health insurance products would be critical to achieving universal health coverage and reducing out-of-pocket healthcare spending, which remains one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.
They stressed that as Nigeria’s health insurance market continues to evolve, operators that prioritise quality service, innovation and customer experience would be better positioned to drive industry growth while supporting the country’s broader healthcare reform agenda.
