Government reforms NHIS
Deputy Minister for Health Alexander Kodwo Kom Abban has revealed that the National Health Insurance Scheme is being reformed to ensure its relevance and usefulness among the people of Ghana.
He indicated that the country’s health service delivery value chain is also being tackled with the introduction of the National Healthcare Quality Strategy as this will help facilitate the implementation and strengthen the quality of care in the health sector.”
“The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which seeks to provide financial risk protection to the individual is being reformed to make it more relevant to our times.”
Speaking at the GE Healthcare Dialogue 2019, Mr Abban noted that the Ministry has revised the National Health Policy and is in the process of finalizing a Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) RoadMap.
According to the Minister, these documents will provide the policy direction towards achieving UHC. He further called on all stakeholders to collaborate and partner with government’s new vision for health for the country.
Under the theme: ‘Elevating Healthcare through Collaborations, Chief Executive Officer of the GE Healthcare Farid Fezoua noted that Ghana is filled with lots of talents in the health sector but lacks specialists, trained nurses and midwives with adequate capabilities. He advised that as such capabilities need to be built.
“Capacity and capability building in health, we don’t have enough specialists, trained nurses and midwives. We have brilliant capabilities and talents in Africa. We just need to cross the boundary of been able to build the capabilities over time.”
“In Ghana through the V-scan access project, over 1,500 healthcare workers including midwives, nurses, and other primary healthcare workers are being trained.”
In addition, the Chief Executive Officer of the GE Healthcare applauded government for its progress towards the Universal Healthcare Coverage through the National Health Insurance initiative as well as the Community-based Health Planning and Services Strategy (CHPS).
However, the Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Christopher Lamora reaffirms its government’s commitment in continuing to support Ghana’s development.
“The US government has provided the Ghanaian health care system with more than 75.5 million dollars annually in health assistance… we in the US government reaffirm our commitment to continuing to partner with GE and with Ghana by bringing the best American technology and expertise to support Ghana’s development while increasing bilateral trade and investments flows in both directions… we look forward to close collaboration among GE and both our governments to promote a flourishing trade relationship that creates improved healthcare outcomes, jobs and prosperity for all.”
The event brought together public and private sectors’ industry stakeholders including policy makers, healthcare professionals, etc. to drive conversations around innovative sustainable healthcare solutions to help progress Ghana’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
