The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, has urged stakeholders in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region to intensify efforts to increase enrolment on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) roll.
The call came during the opening of the NHIA’s new district office in Jomoro, where Dr Bampoe disclosed that only 49.63 per cent of the municipality’s population was covered by the scheme, representing 64.96 per cent of its annual enrolment target.
He said the new facility should serve as a catalyst for expanding access to healthcare and protecting households from the financial burden during illness.
According to him, the success of the investment would be measured by the number of people enrolled, families protected and public confidence restored in the NHIS, rather than the physical structure alone.
“The true measure of this investment is the number of lives we reach, the families we protect and the confidence we restore in the NHIS,” he emphasised.
Dr Bampoe called on NHIA staff, traditional authorities, the Municipal Assembly and other community stakeholders to intensify public education and outreach programmes to encourage more residents to register and maintain active membership.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment under President John Dramani Mahama to strengthening healthcare access through improved health financing.
The NHIA chief executive also cautioned healthcare providers against charging unauthorised fees for services covered by the NHIS, stressing that improvements in claims payments and provider tariffs must translate into better services for members.
He urged NHIA staff to uphold professionalism, accountability and compassion while prioritising membership education, timely renewals and efficient service delivery.
Dr Bampoe further called for regular membership performance reports to strengthen accountability and monitor progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
The Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Council, Awulae Kwasi Amakye III, described the opening as a historic milestone and urged traditional leaders, particularly Nananom, to mobilise residents to enrol in the NHIS and renew their membership when due.
The Western Regional Director of the NHIA, Mr Joseph Meneabeh Akpoh, expressed appreciation to the Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, traditional authorities and other stakeholders for their support towards the establishment of the facility.
He, however, highlighted staffing and logistical challenges that required urgent attention to improve field operations and service delivery.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Benedict Boadi, said the new office would strengthen public service delivery and support community education on the government’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative.
For her part, Ms Affo-Toffey, who is also the Deputy Minister of Transport, commended the NHIA leadership for bringing its services closer to residents of the municipality.
She encouraged constituents to enrol in the NHIS and urged staff of the new office to serve the public with courtesy, efficiency and professionalism.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Awulae Kwasi Amakye III and attended by traditional leaders, members of the clergy, the Chief Imam and his delegation, representatives of the Jomoro Municipal Assembly, healthcare providers, students, and NHIA management and staff.
The establishment of the new office is expected to bring NHIA services closer to residents and strengthen efforts to expand health insurance coverage in the municipality.
