The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, has called for stronger collaboration between the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Authority to sustain the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), describing it as the financial backbone of Ghana’s health system.
Speaking at the 32nd Annual Conference of Deputy Directors of Health of the GHS in Kumasi last Friday, Dr. Bampoe said the NHIS is not just a payer but the driver that makes Ghana’s evolving Networks of Practice (NOPs) a reality.
He explained that the NOP model links health facilities within the same catchment area — from community-based compounds to district hospitals — into a coordinated system that ensures referrals, continuity of care, and accountability for population health outcomes. He said the initiative is central to Ghana’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) roadmap and offers patients a better healthcare experience.
“The NHIS shields patients from catastrophic costs and provides the resources that keep these networks running. It is the financial engine of our healthcare system,” he stressed.
Dr. Bampoe, however, cautioned that the sustainability of the Scheme is threatened by persistent illegal charges on patients and fraudulent claims by some providers. He described these practices as unlawful and damaging to public trust.
“Out-of-pocket charges for services already covered under the NHIS are illegal. They are not co-payments but unlawful charges, and we must work together to end this practice,” he warned.
He added that the NHIA is working to address these challenges by ensuring timely reimbursement of claims, expanding digital enrolment tools such as the *929# short code and MyNHIS App, and improving monitoring systems.
On performance, he revealed that the NHIS covered 56 percent of the population last year, representing 18 million people. This year, nearly 20 million people have already been registered, with coverage expected to surpass last year’s figures. The Scheme, he said, currently covers 95 percent of disease conditions.
Dr. Bampoe also noted that the upcoming Free Primary Healthcare Policy and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund will complement the NHIS to ensure Ghanaians access care without financial barriers.
He urged the GHS and all stakeholders to work closely with the NHIA to protect the Scheme from leakages, strengthen service delivery, and make universal health coverage a reality.
“This is why when we talk about national health insurance, we always refer to the golden tripod: the providers, the financiers, and the people we serve. If we keep this balance, we can deliver healthcare that leaves no one behind,” he said.
