The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the Savannah Region has recorded a major boost in membership and population coverage, reaching 87 percent in 2025, as it rolls out new reforms to sustain Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in 2026.
The milestone was announced at the Scheme’s End-of-Year Performance Review Meeting held on February 25, 2026, at the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council in Damongo.
The meeting brought together district managers, health sector representatives and regional heads to evaluate performance and set targets for the coming year under the theme: “Achieving and Sustaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in 2026: A Collective Responsibility.”
The Acting Regional Director described 2025 as a breakthrough year for the Scheme. Active membership rose to 644,130, exceeding the target of 591,932, while coverage increased sharply from 54 percent in 2024 to 87 percent in 2025.
Enrollment of indigent and vulnerable persons also surpassed expectations, reaching 308,471 against a target of 231,152 a development attributed to growing public trust in the Scheme.
At the national level, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) paid over GH¢2 billion in claims to healthcare providers in 2025, including a recent disbursement of about GH¢54 million to sustain service delivery.
Despite the gains, management acknowledged challenges such as illegal charges by some credentialed facilities and poor customer service, warning that offenders risk sanctions.
Revised service tariffs with an average 120 percent increment are expected to take effect by the end of the first quarter of 2026. A medicines price survey is also underway to update the NHIS Medicines List.
To improve client experience, the Scheme plans to establish Customer Service Points at selected Out-Patient Departments to provide immediate assistance to members.
The Directorate outlined key reforms being championed by NHIA Chief Executive, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, including expanded use of technology, stricter monitoring to curb illegal fees, and the deployment of the Biometric Membership Authentication System (BMAS) to enhance accountability.
Districts were urged to intensify outreach and peer review efforts, particularly in Bole, Central Gonja, East Gonja, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and West Gonja.
For their outstanding performance in 2025, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District was awarded Best in Enrollment of Indigent and Vulnerable Persons, while Bole District emerged Best in Membership Performance and Overall Best Performing District.
Chairman of the event and Savannah Regional Director of Education, Mr. Bright Lawoe, commended the achievements but appealed for more logistics to strengthen operations.
He also encouraged expanded outreach to Senior High Schools to facilitate card renewals and new registrations.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to consolidate gains and deepen access to quality healthcare across the Savannah Region.
Source: kashafmonline.com
Post a Comment