By J. K. Nabary
Winneba (C/R), July 22, GNA – The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has entreated its staff to uphold the core values of the Authority and maintain high professionalism in the conduct of their official business.
Mr Fred Appiah, the Central Regional Director of the NHIA, reminded them that their calling was divine as it bothered on the health of the people and they must not disappoint the public and God, but work diligently to achieve better health for all.
He made the call at the Central Regional 2024 Mid-Year Performance Review meeting at Winneba, held on the theme: “Strategising to Achieve Good Results.”
It was attended by district managers, regional accountants and staff of the Authority.
Giving a report on its activities, Mr Appiah stated that membership was one of the most important performance indicators of the NHIA.
He said as at June ending, active membership of the region stood at 1,291,305 representing 75.53 percent of the 2024 target of 1,709,649 and 42.1 per cent of the Region’s population.
He said the active indigent membership for the region during the half-year of 2024 rose to 125,737, compared to 115,400 of the same period in 2023.
On revenue, he said, a total of GHc5, 315,768.34 representing 63.14 per cent target of GHc8, 419,431.76 was realised, showing an increase in its revenue mobilisation drive as compared to the 2023 figure of GHc5, 272,787.86, with a variance of CHc42, 928.00 for the period under review.
A total of 35 healthcare facilities whose contract expired, renewed their contract while five new facilities during the first quarter were given accreditation to operate under the NHIA.
The new facilities are John Leonard Health Services and Specialist Clinic, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital Polyclinic, Age Eye Care, Modern Care Clinic and SDG Specialist Ultra Care.
On Quality Assurance; St Luke Catholic Hospital, Gomoa Adzentem CHPS Compound, Agona Nsaba Health Centre, Fianko CHPs Zone, Morden Care Clinic, Taido CHPS Compound, Hini CHPS and John Leonard Health Services and Specialist Clinics were assessed during the period.
The rest are Cape Coast Teaching Hospital Polyclinic, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Sustainable Development Goal Specialist Ultra care, Winn Diagnostic Centre and Danyase CHPS Zone.
He stated that despite the successes, the Authority was battling with some operational, human resource and logistical challenges but assured that it would work collectively to achieve the Universal Health Coverage.
The NHIA’s free Dialysis programme, he said, commenced from June to December this year, and the funds had been made available to the facilities for June to continue to December 2024.
Mr Appiah said a mechanism has been put in place to strengthen the health promotion policy to encourage people to change their lifestyle, particularly eating and drinking habits and exercise often to stay healthy from non-communicable diseases.
He urged the public to often go for check-ups and not wait till they were sick before going to the hospital.
Mr Appiah commended the Board of Directors and Executive Management of the NHIA for their visionary leadership and the stakeholders, especially members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and service providers for their continuous cooperation, loyalty and dedication to duty.
Mr John Awuku lvey, a Senior Manager, Claims Processing Company (CPC) of the NHIA, Central Regional Directorate, in a presentation on behalf of the Regional Health Director, described co-payment as “unacceptable” and cautioned service providers to put a stop to the practice.
GNA