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The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Acting Chief
Executive, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe has pledged the swiftest implementation of
the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) revised service tariff.
“A new medicines tariff has been implemented since March
1st, 2025.
The review of service tariff is complete and is undergoing final
approval processes. It will be announced in due course.”
He brought this to the fore at the NHIA’s two-day
Stakeholder Conference held in Accra under the theme “Consolidating Strategic
Partnerships for a Resilient and Inclusive Health Insurance Scheme.”
The conference, which brought together key stakeholders from
across Ghana’s health sector, sought to strengthen collaboration and
consolidate partnerships towards building a more resilient and inclusive
national health insurance system.
Highlighting key achievements under his leadership, Dr.
Bampoe commended President John Dramani Mahama’s boldest decision of uncapping
the National Health Insurance Levy.
“A move that has significantly boosted the Authority’s
finances.
The NHIA revenue for 2025 has grown to GH¢9.76 billion, compared to
GH¢6.52 billion in 2024. This financial reform has enabled us to increase the
proportion of revenue allocated to claims—our core business—from 56.2% in 2024
to 65% in 2025, with a projected rise to 75% by 2026.”
He further announced the establishment of a Claims and
Illegal Charges Taskforce, mandated to investigate the root causes of unlawful
charges and to develop effective mechanisms to eliminate them across healthcare
facilities.
Touching on government’s flagship Free Primary Healthcare
for All Initiative, Dr. Bampoe described it as one of the most ambitious
undertakings in Ghana’s health policy history. He emphasized that the
conference provided a platform for stakeholders to align on its phased
implementation, funding mechanisms, and accountability frameworks. “Every actor
must leave here with a clear understanding of their role, timeline, and
deliverables,” he stressed.
Dr. Bampoe also revealed plans to operationalize the Ghana
Medical Trust Fund, also known as the Mahama Cares, which will serve as a
safety net for persons living with non-communicable diseases—an important step
toward achieving universal health coverage (UHC) in Ghana.
Underscoring the NHIS’s pivotal role in Ghana’s health
financing system, Dr. Bampoe stated that the Scheme currently covers 95 percent
of all primary disease
conditions and has over 15.65 million active members,
marking an increase of 670,000 from the previous year.
“Our aim is to reach an unprecedented 20 million active
members by the end of this year.”
The event brought together key stakeholders, including
representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Christian
Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Private Health Facilities Association of
Ghana, World Health Organization (WHO), the Parliamentary Select Committee on
Health, traditional leaders, policymakers, NHIA directors, and staff.
Source: Shaniece Palm
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