The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has launched a nationwide campaign dubbed “Operation STORM” to offer free registration and renewal of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) membership as part of efforts to improve access to healthcare services.
The campaign, which is already underway and expected to end on May 31, 2026, allows Ghanaians and legal residents to enroll or renew their NHIS membership at no cost, with instant activation.
Addressing a news conference in Accra yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, explained that the initiative would see staff deployed at all levels including markets, lorry stations, schools, churches, mosques and workplaces, among other public places, to support enrollment and renewals.
“For the first time in the history of the NHIS, we are simultaneously waiving both registration and renewal fees and the one-month waiting period,” he said.
“Previously, if you joined the NHIS or renewed your membership, you would pay a processing fee or premium and then wait one month before you could access care. That wait is gone, and the fees are gone,” he added.
Dr Bampoe said the “STORM” initiative formed part of broader efforts to accelerate Ghana’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by removing financial barriers to healthcare, regardless of social status.
He noted that the campaign was aligned with the government’s newly launched Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) policy, which seeks to provide basic health services at no cost in 150 selected districts across the country.
The NHIA boss elaborated that while primary healthcare services may be accessed free of charge, an active NHIS membership remained critical for referrals beyond the primary level, where more specialised and costly care is required.
“To access free primary healthcare, an individual needs either a Ghana Card or an NHIS card for identification, documentation and monitoring purposes, however, not every eligible Ghanaian has either card, and this is one of the key reasons for the “STORM” initiative to rapidly increase the number of people registered and active on the NHIS.
The NHIS card is the key that unlocks the entire continuum of care, from the community health post to the teaching hospital,” he indicated.
Dr Bampoe cautioned that after the May 31 deadline, standard processing fees would be reinstated, renewals would no longer be free, and the waiting period would resume.
He urged Ghanaians to take advantage of the limited window, stressing that maintaining an active NHIS card remained essential for continuous access to healthcare.
“We want to see a Ghana where every citizen has an active, valid NHIS card at all times, and the STORM initiative is our effort to dramatically accelerate that goal but the responsibility to maintain coverage rests with each of us,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations at the NHIA, Dr Kwesi Senanu Djokoto, also urged the public to keep their NHIS membership active beyond the campaign period.
“This is a historic window of opportunity and we must all take advantage of it. Do it for yourself, your family, your children and your parents. No Ghanaian should be left without health coverage when this window has been opened freely to all,” he said.
Dr Djokoto added that renewals can be done by dialling *929# on any mobile phone, through the “MyNHIS” mobile application, or by visiting any NHIS district office.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
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