Health providers, NHIA hold talks on joint implementation of preventive and promotive health initiatives
The Ghana Health Service (GHS), Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), and the Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHAFoG) have held an exploratory meeting with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to jointly drive preventive and promotive health initiatives in alignment with Ghana’s Universal Health Coverage roadmap.
“This collaborative programme marks a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in improving equitable access to comprehensive quality health services for everyone living in Ghana,” says the NHIA in a statement.
According to the statement issued by the Corporate Affairs Directorate of the NHIA and copied the Ghanaian Times in Accra, yesterday, the health sector’s new initiative aims to shift focus from curative care to preventive and promotive health, recognising that prevention is better than cure.
“Therefore, this novel outlook is intended to address key health issues such as communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, and overall health and wellbeing, fostering a healthier population and reducing the burden on the healthcare system.
Over time, this monumental intervention would potentially catalyse cost containment measures and enhance efficiency gains for the NHIA, which would ultimately enhance the responsiveness and sustainability of the NHIS,” it stated.
The GHS, the central public health provision agency in Ghana with over 8000 facilities, CHAG, representing over 300 health facilities, along with the association representing several private health facilities focused the exploratory discussions around standard service package, resource allocation, community outreach activities, and rollout modalities amongst others towards the effective operationalisation of the initiative.
The Director-General of GHS, Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye, added that the service initiated the setting up Wellness Clinics across the country in 2020 to facilitate preventive health checks of the population, therefore, the NHIA’s shift towards preventive and promotive health was crucial for sustainable healthcare.
He continued, “We are proud to partner with the NHIA and other health provision entities in this transformative journey and are confident that these initiatives will bring lasting benefits to our communities.”
The Executive Director of CHAG, Dr Peter Yeboah, emphasised the importance of the collaboration being a champion/advocate of compassionate healthcare service, adding, “CHAG welcomes the value proposition initiative as a game changer for the health and wellbeing of all people living in Ghana.”
The Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana, represented by Dr Sarfo, a member, and Mr Richard Frank-Torblu, its General Secretary, also expressed their enthusiasm, highlighting the role of innovation and private-public partnerships in advancing healthcare goals.
Dr DaCosta Aboagye, the NHIA Chief Executive, expressed his appreciation for such a productive engagement and re-affirmed his commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to support the NHIA’s new paradigm shift of introducing preventive and promotive health interventions, highlighting an expected positive impact on Ghana’s healthcare system and reducing NHIA claims payments in the long run.
A former Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and chairman of a committee set up to facilitate the implementation of this ground-breaking programme, Dr Anarfi Asamoa-Baah, moderated the discussions.
BY TIMES REPORTER
