Accra, Oct. 15, GNA- Effective November 1, 2024, subscribers of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) can access free medical services for four mental health diseases from any NHIS-accredited facilities across the country.
The mental conditions covered under the initiative are Depression Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder and Schizophrenia Disorder.
A statement signed and issued by Dr Da-Costa Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), said the coverage included outpatient services and the initial acute hospitalisation stage.
The Authority said the treatment of mental health conditions however remained free of charge in country’s specialised mental health care hospitals.
It said the expansion of the NHIS to cover medical health conditions formed part of measures to improve access to mental health care.
The country currently has a few specialised mental health hospitals, primarily the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, and the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital.
The NHIA said the move was also part of a broader national strategy aimed at addressing mental healthcare gaps and accelerating the delivery of Universal Health Coverage.
“This bold initiative ensures that mental health services, which are critical to the well-being of our population, are readily accessible to every Ghanaian. It removes financial and geographical barriers, allowing more people to seek the care they need,” the statement said.
“By integrating mental health care into the NHIS, the government hopes to provide a lifeline for individuals suffering from these conditions, enabling them to access necessary treatments without barriers,” it added.
Over the past year, the NHIS has added several important services to its benefits package, including family planning services, diagnosis and treatment of four childhood cancers—Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Burkitt Lymphoma, Retinoblastoma, and Wilms Tumour.
The four childhood cancers covered by the Scheme accounted for about 60 per cent of all childhood cancers.
The Scheme has also made provision for dialysis.
GNA