Health News of Tuesday, 3 December 2024

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Government presents 44 vehicles to National Health Insurance Authority

Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare cutting the ribbon to mark the handing over of the vehicles Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare cutting the ribbon to mark the handing over of the vehicles

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has received forty-four (44) new vehicles from the government to aid in the delivery of its mandate.

The vehicles, comprising forty-three (43) pick-ups and a coastal bus, were presented to the NHIA by the Chief of Staff, Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, during a brief event on Monday, December 2, 2024.

In a speech delivered at the ceremony, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare stated that the vehicles, which she presented on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, are further proof of the government’s commitment to transforming the NHIA.

She stated that the government has, since 2017, undertaken various interventions to position the NHIS as the most effective and affordable health insurance in the country.

Frema Osei-Opare also outlined some of the achievements chalked up by the NHIA under the Akufo-Addo government.

"The donation of these vehicles is a practical demonstration of our commitment to empowering the NHIA to deliver on its mandate. These vehicles will improve monitoring, service delivery, and operational efficiency across NHIA offices nationwide," she added.

"The Authority has also introduced free dialysis treatment, which began on December 1, 2024, with an additional GHC 200 million allocated to healthcare facilities."

"The introduction of free healthcare for the elderly, ensuring that senior citizens receive the care they need without financial barriers, is also an important development. There has also been a groundbreaking shift to include preventive and promotive healthcare in the NHIS benefit package, with the addition of the annual health check program, further enhancing healthcare delivery," she added.

“These initiatives are a testament to the government’s unwavering focus on delivering quality and accessible healthcare to every Ghanaian, regardless of location or financial status. The NHIA healthcare is the cornerstone of national development, and together, we are building a robust system that serves every Ghanaian with dignity and care," she said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, expressed gratitude to the government for its consistent support to the authority.

He assured that the NHIA will distribute the vehicles to the district and regional offices to facilitate their operations