Accra July 13, GNA – The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), in partnership with the Korea Foundation For International Health (KOFIH), successfully held a multi- sectorial conference, advocating for enhanced diabetes and hypertension management in Ghana.
The multi-sectorial conference was held in Accra to address the escalating prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana and to strategize on effective management approaches.
Organized by the NHIA’s Research, Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, the roundtable discussions brought together policymakers, health professionals, researchers, and development partners.
The event was held on the theme: “Access, Affordability, and Outcomes: Rethinking Diabetes and Hypertension Management in Ghana.”
Dr. Senanu Kwesi Dzokoto, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations at the NHIA, expressed concern over the increasing burden of these chronic diseases in his opening remarks.
He emphasised the critical role of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in expanding healthcare access.
“If we do not act with urgency and precision, the rising burden of chronic diseases will undermine the progress we have made. Prevention must become a central pillar of our national health strategy,” he said.
Ms. Chae Eun Kim, Deputy Director of KOFIH’s Ghana Office, highlighted the significant impact of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in South Korea, where they account for 80 per cent of all recorded deaths.
She underscored the partnership between Ghana and Korea, aimed at improving the quality of healthcare delivery across Ghana.
Ms. Kim said,” Our collaborative research with NHIA has revealed the urgent need for policy interventions, including the expansion of NHIS coverage to incorporate preventive services.”
Professor Gordon Abekah-Nkrumah of the University of Ghana Business School drew attention to the economic challenges posed by the rising prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana’s healthcare financing landscape.
He revealed that “Hypertension and diabetes now rank among the top five disease categories under the NHIS, accounting for over 10 per cent of total claims expenditure.”
A comprehensive report, “Exploring Practices in the Management of Diabetes and Hypertension among the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and Non-NHIS Members in Ghana,” was launched during the conference.
The report provides critical insights into access, affordability, treatment adherence, and public perceptions of chronic disease care.
Mr. Abass Suleymana, Acting Director of the NHIA’s Research, Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, moderated the presentation of the collaborative research findings.
He disclosed that the report found 30.34 per cent of deaths in Ghana are attributed to hypertension, while 26.27 per cent are linked to diabetes.
“Although many patients are accessing care through NHIS-credentialed providers, out-of-pocket costs remain a challenge, and public awareness of the seriousness of these conditions vary widely,” he said.
He added that while 46.13 per cent of respondents viewed hypertension and diabetes as serious health hazards, 6.7 per cent did not consider the diseases a serious risk, signaling “a clear need for intensified public education.
During a panel discussion, Dr. Anthony Gingong, NHIA’s Senior Director for Special Initiatives, raised concerns about the financial implications of managing these diseases in relation to NHIS coverage.
“It is troubling to see how much of the NHIS resources go into managing conditions that could largely be avoided through prevention and early intervention,” he stated.
GNA
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong