The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) officially opened a new office complex in Damongo on Monday, October 21, 2024, a move set to significantly expand healthcare access for residents of the West Gonja Municipality.
Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, led the commissioning ceremony. He was joined by the Municipal Chief Executive for West Gonja, Hon. Musah Kusubari, as well as local healthcare providers and other departmental heads.
A Beacon of Hope for Healthcare
Chief Dauda Mahama, Savannah Regional Director of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), expressed immense pride in the completion of the new facility during his welcome address. He emphasized the NHIS’s ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery across the region.
“This new office stands as a beacon of hope and assurance, symbolizing the NHIS’s unwavering dedication to the well-being of every individual,” Chief Mahama remarked.
This new West Gonja office follows the commissioning of the Savannah Regional Office in February, underscoring the NHIS’s broader mission to bring essential healthcare services closer to all Ghanaians. Chief Dauda also highlighted that the Savannah Region has already registered 63% of its 500,795 membership target, with the new office poised to further support the growing population in accessing healthcare.
NHIA’s Commitment to Universal Coverage
In his address, Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye reiterated the NHIA’s firm commitment to expanding healthcare access nationwide, emphasizing that the Damongo office is a testament to the NHIS’s dedication to ensuring “no one is left behind.”
“This is not just a building; it represents our commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for every citizen in this region,” Dr. Aboagye stated.
He highlighted the substantial growth of the NHIS, with membership skyrocketing from 10 million in 2015 to 17.8 million in 2023, and a projected reach of 20.8 million by the end of this year.
Bolstering Financial Stability and New Initiatives
Dr. Aboagye also shared significant strides made in reducing healthcare debts. He announced the recent payment of over 800 million cedis in claims, bringing all claims up to August 2024. This, he noted, is a crucial step in curbing illegal charges at healthcare facilities, a practice often attributed to delayed payments.
The NHIA has also rolled out several new initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery. These include:
- Integration of the NHIS with the Ghana Card: This allows for easier access to services for members.
- Launch of the E-Pharmacy policy: This will ensure quick access to medications for NHIS members.
- Expanded NHIS benefit package: Starting November 2024, the package will include coverage for mental health conditions such as Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia.
Dr. Aboagye extended his gratitude to the people of Damongo and the Member of Parliament, Samuel Abu Jinapor, for their unwavering support, calling for continued collaboration to achieve universal health coverage in Ghana by 2030.
Local Gratitude and Call for Support
The event was chaired by the West Gonja Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Musah Karimu Kusubari, who expressed profound gratitude to the CEO and the government for the construction of the new facility, recognizing its potential to significantly improve healthcare services in the region.
He recounted the challenges faced in acquiring the land from the Department of Agriculture for the project, expressing thankfulness that the initiative has finally come to fruition. Hon. Kusubari also used the opportunity to request continued logistical support from the CEO, specifically highlighting the urgent need for vehicles for the NHIS offices in Bole and Sawla to aid their daily operations.
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