Despite government efforts to achieve universal health coverage in Ghana, many rural residents and their children remain unregistered on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Additionally, those who manage to register often fail to renew their membership, making access to healthcare difficult in several communities.
To help enhance universal health coverage and promote good health within the Lower West Akyem Municipality, the Chief Executive Officer of Brand Forwarder Ventures and Manager of the Kasapreko Depot in Asamankese, John Massey Arthur, has facilitated the registration of deprived children, pregnant women, the elderly, and youth onto the NHIS.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Arthur explained that his office is frequently overwhelmed with hospital bill requests from vulnerable individuals seeking financial assistance for medical care.
“It became clear that many rural residents in the area do not have health insurance, while those with NHIS cards often fail to renew them,” he noted.
In response, and in line with his company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, Mr. Arthur decided to mark his birthday by sponsoring the NHIS registration of as many rural dwellers as possible within the municipality.
The initiative is expected to ease the financial burden of healthcare costs on residents and improve access to medical services for the most vulnerable in the community.
“In most cases, children and women are very vulnerable in the health facilities. Sometimes you go to the hospital and people are detained after treatment because they do not have the money to pay their bills. Meanwhile, the NHIS could be of tremendous support for such people,” John Massey noted.
“Nobody knows the future of these children. They could be our saviors in the future. All of us have a responsibility to contribute to their well-being and ensure that they have a brighter future,” he added.
The Public Relations Officer for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Mr. Okyere, has emphasized the importance of all Ghanaians registering for the scheme.
He assured the public that issues of extortion, overbilling, and unauthorized charges at some health facilities have been addressed accordingly.
He further added that reforms have been introduced to penalize health facilities that shortchange NHIS cardholders.
Mr. Okyere also reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to collaborating with key stakeholders to achieve universal health coverage.
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