Sunyani: The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has disbursed nearly one billion Ghana cedis to service providers across the nation this year, as revealed by Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA. This significant financial commitment underscores the government’s effort to position the Authority as a crucial contributor towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Bampoe emphasized the government’s support in ensuring the NHIA fulfills its mandate of prompt claims payment to service providers, which is vital for advancing the nation’s healthcare objectives. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has encouraged countries to work towards UHC, which aims to provide all people with access to comprehensive quality health services without financial difficulties.
During a meeting with the Sunyani Teaching Hospital management, Dr. Bampoe reiterated the importance of the ‘Mahama Care’ initiative, which aims to address gaps in communicable diseases and other health interventions. He highlighted that teaching hospitals play a pivotal role in supporting the nation’s UHC goals and realizing the ‘Mahama Care’ policy.
Dr. Bampoe noted the NHIA’s commitment to advancing the three UHC pillars: geographical, service, and financial coverage. He acknowledged ongoing concerns about illegal payments within the health system and assured efforts are being made to address these issues.
Additionally, Dr. Bampoe expressed concern over the stagnation in promotions for health workers, announcing that a human resource audit is underway to address these challenges.
Dr. Cardinal Newton, CEO of Sunyani Teaching Hospital, shared insights into the hospital’s history and its efforts to diversify resources beyond NHIA claims. With a workforce of about 3,000, the hospital is committed to enhancing staff welfare to ensure optimal service delivery.