Accra: Over fifty-eight percent of Out-Patient Department (OPD) clients in the Kpone-Katamanso municipality are insured under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), disclosed Dr. Esther Priscilla Biamah Danquah, Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Director of Health Services.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Danquah shared this information during a sod-cutting ceremony at Kpone for the construction of a modern NHIS office aimed at enhancing health insurance services in the district. She expressed optimism about increasing coverage levels to at least 80 percent of OPD clients by the end of the year, emphasizing the NHIS's role in alleviating healthcare financial burdens, particularly for low-income households.
Dr. Danquah highlighted that the NHIS had significantly impacted healthcare delivery in Kpone-Katamanso but stressed the need for increased enrollment to prevent patients from facing high medical costs. She explained that the upcoming NHIS facility would offer a modern environment for clients to register, renew, and access health services, aiming to eliminate enrollment bottlenecks and delays.
The health directorate, in partnership with the NHIS and other stakeholders, plans to intensify public education campaigns across communities, schools, and workplaces to boost scheme patronage. Dr. Danquah urged residents yet to enroll in the NHIS to leverage the new facility, viewing health insurance as both a safety net and a step towards universal health coverage.
The new office is projected to be completed in eight months, with stakeholders hopeful that it will significantly improve service delivery and accessibility. The ceremony attracted health officials, municipal authorities, traditional leaders, and community members, who lauded the project as both timely and essential for advancing healthcare financing in the region.
