Phone Call Rate: Nigerians In For A Shocker

Phone Call Rate: Nigerians In For A Shocker.

Nigerians may be in for a shocker following a decision of the regulatory authorities to introduces a new tax to fund the provision of healthcare insurance for vulnerable Nigerians .

The newly introduced tax which will be paid per second on every call is to fund the provision of healthcare insurance to vulnerable Nigerians who cannot afford the cost of premium medical care.

President Muhammadu Buhari said the new National Health Insurance Authority Bill 2022 will fund the coverage of 83 million poor Nigerians who cannot afford to pay for the premium health insurance services available in the country.

The telecommunications tax to be charged on phone calls at not less than one kobo per second of GSM calls will be used to finance a vulnerable group fund aimed to cater fo the provision of premium health care insurance for a vulnerable group that comprises children under five, pregnant women, aged, physically and mentally challenged persons, and indigent people as may be defined from time to time.

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The vulnerable group fund will also be financed through a basic health care provision fund, health insurance levy, special intervention fund, as well as any investment proceeds, donations and gifts to the authority.

The implementation of the law will likely see an increase in call tariffs as phone companies are likely to transfer to cost on users and ensure all Nigerians enroll in the health insurance scheme.