Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, says the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) under his government has been digitized and linked to the card.
In an interview with Africa Watch Magazine, the vice president who doubles as the presidential candidate for the 2024 elections gave resounding remarks about the current government’s performance in the health sector.
“The NHIS is working better under our government than it used to be. Besides resourcing it financially, we have also digitized it and linked it to the Ghana card. So today, your NHIS number is your Ghana card number. We have also extended NHIS coverage to include childhood cancers and hydroxyurea for sickle-cell patients. We have also introduced an NHIS app, so today people can register and get enrolled using their Ghana card.”
He said NHIS has expanded to include treatments for childhood cancers and hydroxyurea for sickle-cell patients. Also, he mentioned the introduction of the NHIS app to allow Ghanaians to enrol using their Ghana card.
“They can also renew their subscription and check the list of diseases that the NHIS covers without travelling to any NHIS office. Second, to make health care easily accessible across the country, we have overseen the connection of health facilities under the Ghana Health Service to one digital platform. So far, all teaching hospitals and all regional and district hospitals have been connected and can talk to each other. The goal is to network over 90% of all hospitals in Ghana by the end of next year,” he noted.
Dr. Bawumia promised to invest in expanding healthcare infrastructure, particularly in underserved rural areas if elected president of Ghana.
“My government will invest in expanding healthcare infrastructure, particularly in underserved rural areas, to ensure equitable access to quality services. My government will also implement targeted initiatives to address healthcare disparities among vulnerable populations, including women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
“In addition, we will increase recruitment, training, and retention of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and community health workers, to address workforce shortages and improve service delivery,” he emphasized.
“As far as the NHIS is concerned, we will enhance the sustainability and efficiency of the scheme through comprehensive reforms aimed at expanding coverage, improving revenue mobilization and reducing administrative inefficiencies.”