The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has inaugurated a new district office in Juaboso, Western North Region, as part of its commitment to expand coverage and improve service delivery. The office aims to bring healthcare services closer to citizens, particularly those facing challenges in accessing health insurance.
At a durbar attended by local chiefs and residents, Dr. Da-costa Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, emphasized the government’s dedication to improving health service accessibility. “The NHIA recognizes that many residents in rural areas face challenges when trying to access health insurance services, especially those who may struggle with digital tools like the ‘MyNHISapp’ or the USSD short code *929#,” he stated.
Dr. Aboagye added, “Our aim is to ensure that no Ghanaian is left behind in accessing quality healthcare. By making services more accessible through district offices, the NHIA hopes to increase coverage under the NHIS, a crucial component of achieving universal healthcare in Ghana.”
He reported significant growth in active membership of the National Health Insurance Scheme, which has risen from 10 million in 2015 to 17.8 million as of December 2023. “Today, the NHIA boasts an unprecedented payment of claims, having disbursed more than GHc800 million in just the past month, with additional over GHc300 million payments made in October,” Dr. Aboagye noted, adding that all claims have been settled up to August 2024.
Reflecting on past challenges, he explained, “In 2017, the NHIA struggled with a staggering debt of 1.2 billion Ghana cedis, reflecting its entire annual budget, which hindered timely payments to healthcare facilities and adversely affected access to care.”
The NHIA Chief Executive also highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing the healthcare system. He pledged to eliminate the practice of healthcare facilities charging patients for services already covered by the NHIS. Furthermore, he introduced the E-pharmacy policy, designed to improve prescription management and patient access to necessary medications.
Dr. Aboagye praised the recent inclusion of mental health conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, in the NHIS coverage.
Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Member of Parliament for Juaboso, urged the community to “protect and sustain” the NHIS, describing it as “a vital social intervention that has benefited countless individuals.”
Dr. Alex Ampabeng, the Deputy Minister of Finance and Juaboso Parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party, underscored the importance of digital tools in facilitating the NHIA registration process, encouraging citizens to join the scheme.
In addition to the Juaboso office, a similar facility has been established in Suaman, with more offices expected to open in the West Gonja, Kpandai, and Savelugu Districts.
