The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, has opened a new district office for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) at Ajumako Enyan Essiam in the Central Region.
He also handed over a new Toyota Hilux pick-up to the district office to strengthen enrolment, monitoring and other operational activities as part of efforts to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The twin event, held at Ajumako, was attended by traditional leaders, including Nana Darko IV, Ankobeahene of the Breman Essiam Traditional Area, the District Chief Executive, Andrew Kojo Anderson, health service providers, NHIA staff and NHIS members.
For several years, NHIS staff in the district operated from a small rented facility that lacked adequate space and was not disability-friendly, making it difficult to accommodate the increasing number of clients, particularly during mass enrolment exercises.
Speaking at the opening, Dr Bampoe said the investment in the new facility forms part of his three-point agenda for the NHIA, which focuses on improving staff welfare and internal controls, restoring public confidence by eliminating illegal charges and aligning NHIS operations with the government’s flagship health policies.
“This building is more than concrete and roofing sheets. It is a statement that the NHIS is permanent, it is closer to the people, and poised to achieve UHC. When members walk into a dignified office like this, trust is restored,” he said.
Dr Bampoe commended President John Dramani Mahama, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh for their commitment to ensuring the NHIA is able to make prompt claims reimbursements to healthcare service providers.
Following the unveiling of the plaque and opening of the facility, Dr Bampoe presented the keys to a new Toyota Hilux pickup to the Central Regional Director and Ajumako Enyan Essiam District Manager.
He said the NHIA had procured operational vehicles for selected districts across the country to address mobility challenges that had affected enrolment, monitoring and client follow-up.
Dr Bampoe said the vehicle should help staff reach communities, markets and schools across the large and dispersed district.
“For a district as large and dispersed as Ajumako Enyan Essiam—from Enyan Denkyira to Breman Essiam and Ajumako Bisease—you cannot do effective mobilization on foot or on motorbike.
This vehicle must translate into numbers. It must go into the communities, into the markets, into the schools to register people,” he said.
“To whom much is given, much is expected,” he added.
He cautioned that the vehicle must be used strictly for official duties and urged the district management to ensure its proper maintenance.
Dr Bampoe also disclosed that the Authority had increased service tariffs by 50% in response to concerns raised by healthcare providers regarding claims payments.
He, however, cautioned service providers against imposing illegal charges on NHIS members or turning away patients for services covered under the scheme.
“We have adjusted our tariffs to a 50% increment as a listening institution, and we do not want you to turn away NHIS members or cause them to pay for services that are covered under the NHIS,” he said.
The Acting Central Regional Director of the NHIA, Kojo Sekyere Koi Thompson, said the new office and vehicle had come at a critical time for the region.
He disclosed that active NHIS membership in the Central Region currently stands at about 66%, with the region targeting 80% by December.
He said the new vehicle would improve the NHIA’s ability to supervise health facilities, monitor illegal charges and reach hard-to-access communities.
“We will put it to good use,” he assured.
The Ajumako Enyan Essiam District Chief Executive, Andrew Kojo Anderson, commended the NHIA for the investment and pledged the Assembly’s support to ensure the new facilities are properly maintained.
He also praised the Authority for improvements in claims reimbursement to healthcare providers.
The event was attended by senior NHIA officials, including Deputy Chief Administrator and HR Director Raphael Segkep, Director of Administration Raymond Avinu, Director of Corporate Affairs Oswald Essuah-Mensah, Head of Communications Faustina Dery, Executive Assistant to the CEO Nina Buabeng-Amoah, Deputy Director of Administration Louis Lawerteh and Deputy Director at the Cape Coast CPC, Dr Abena Ekufua Esia-Donkoh.
