A delegation of health experts from The Republic of Cameroon has commended Ghana for successfully initiating the National Health Insurance programme without the traditional donor support.
The seven-member delegation is on a five-day tour to observe the implementation of Ghana’s NHI
The leader of the seven-member delegation, Dr. Saa, who is the Technical Adviser of the Health Ministry of Cameroon, congratulated Ghana for championing a unique health financing programme that has become worthy of emulation not only in Africa but in the rest of the world.
“You started the health Insurance Programme all by yourself. We are impressed with your achievements. Ghana is indeed a trail blazer and we are keen to take lessons from you,” he declared during a briefing session at the Offices of the National Health Insurance Authority in Accra.
Other members of the delegation are Madam Catherine Ndim Inspector of Services in charge of Mutual health Organizations at the Camaroon Ministry of Health, Dr. Maze Atangana, Dr. Andre Arsene Bita Fouda, Dr. Bocar Mamadou Daff, and Dr. Doaw Mekanda Jean Blaise all working with the Ministry of Health as well as Mr. Hozier Chimi Nana President of Promoters of Mutual Health Organizations.
Dr. Saa observed that although Ghana’s Health Insurance Scheme took off only five years ago, it has been able to cover over thirteen million residents making it one of the fastest growing schemes in the world.
He further noted that the National Health Insurance Authority has been able to put in place effective measures such as a comprehensive tariff regime and medicines list that satisfy Providers, clients and the 145 Mutual Health Insurance Schemes.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, Sylvester Mensah, in a brief address, reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure the sustainability of the NHIS programe while ensuring that the scheme caters for all residents of the country, especially the poor.
To this end a draft legislative review will soon be submitted to government to remove the governance and legal bottlenecks affecting the scheme.
Mr. Mensah pointed out that the successful implementation of the One Time Premium Payment policy of government will bring the full impact of the NHIS to bear on the health sector.
The Cameroonian health delegation visited the Osu-Klotey, Ashiedu Keteke and Dangme West Mutual Health Insurance Schemes in the Greater Accra region. It also visited the Achimota and Dodowa Government hospitals.
Officials of the NHIA briefed the delegation on the operations of the schemes, actuarial studies on the One Time Payment of Premium, financial sustainability of the scheme, measures to eliminate fraud and the unification of the 145 DMHIS and the NHIA.
