Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese NHIS calls for collective action to sustain health gains  

The Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) office of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to sustain progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).   

However, it cautioned that systemic gaps such as illegal payments, limited public awareness, and logistical barriers continue to limit access to essential health services, especially for vulnerable groups who rely heavily on NHIS support.  

Addressing a forum themed, “Sustaining our Gains Towards Universal Health Coverage; A Collective Responsibility,” Mr. Edward Mensah, the District Manager of NHIS, urged stakeholders in the health sector to recommit to the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.  

He emphasised that recent gains must be protected through collective responsibility and systemic reform.  

Mr. Mensah highlighted the NHIS’s achievements, including digital enrolment systems and automatic free renewal for SSNIT contributors and pensioners.   

He also cited free healthcare services for pregnant women, children with cancer, and patients with chronic non-communicable diseases under President John Dramani Mahama’s flagship initiative, “MAHAMA CARE.”  

“These are not just statistics,” he said.   

“They represent lives improved, families supported, and futures secured. But we cannot afford complacency. Barriers to access remain, especially for the poor and vulnerable,” he explained.  

Mr. Mensah’s remarks echo the broader health policy vision of President Mahama, whose administration prioritized equitable healthcare access through initiatives like the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds and expanded NHIS coverage.   

His first term also laid the groundwork for digitising health insurance processes, a legacy that current NHIS leadership continue to build upon.  

Despite these strides, Mr. Mensah noted that illegal payments, data integrity issues, and low public awareness continue to undermine the scheme’s credibility.  

“Why should a poor pregnant woman pay for services that NHIS fully covers?” he quizzed.  

He said further: “Such practices erode public confidence and deter the economically vulnerable from seeking care.”  

He called for a united front involving government agencies, healthcare providers, religious leaders, NGOs, and local assemblies to address the situation.   

“We must see ourselves as complementors, not competitors,” he stated, adding, “We are all potential patients.”  

Mr. Mensah also stressed the imperative need for continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms, noting, that, “Sustaining our gains does not stop at policy implementation. We must track our progress using key performance indicators and adjust where necessary.”  

Health analysts say the NHIS’s renewed focus on stakeholder collaboration and digital innovation aligns with global best practices for achieving UHC.   

However, they caution that without addressing systemic inefficiencies and restoring public trust, Ghana risks backsliding on its health equity goals.  

Mr. Mensah further made a rallying call: “Let’s give off our best to reset our health institutions into robust, resilient, and globally admired systems. The road ahead may be challenging, but it is one we must walk together.”  

Source: GNA