NHIA, Health Ministry Advance Draft Regulations for Health Insurance Scheme

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) are working to finalise new regulations to strengthen the legal and operational framework of Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The move follows a preparatory meeting between the NHIA Legal Directorate and the Ministry’s Head of Legal Affairs, Alhaji Dr. (Pharm) Inua Yusuf, Esq., to review progress on the proposed Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to operationalise the National Health Insurance Act, 2012 (Act 852).

The meeting, led by the NHIA’s Director of Legal, Annette Obenewaa Adutwum, brought together lawyers from both institutions to review the draft regulations ahead of planned stakeholder consultations and the subsequent legislative process.

The proposed L.I., spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, is intended to update the regulatory framework governing the Scheme to reflect changes in healthcare delivery, modern legal standards and statutory developments.

During the meeting, Dr Yusuf and Mrs Adutwum led discussions on key legislative updates, structural reforms, and operational provisions designed to improve the governance, administration, and sustainability of the Scheme.

Participants examined the rationale for the proposed provisions, their implications for the NHIA’s operations, and how they align with efforts to promote efficiency, accountability, and transparency while improving access to quality healthcare for Ghanaians.

The meeting also focused on the proposed implementation framework and strategies for engaging stakeholders to ensure a clear understanding of the draft regulations and build support for the planned reforms.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to working together to translate the objectives of Act 852 into clear, practical and enforceable regulations that will support the effective delivery of the Scheme’s mandate.

The NHIA Legal Directorate was represented by four lawyers and two legal support staff, reflecting the Authority’s involvement in the ongoing regulatory reform process.

The engagement is expected to prepare the Directorate to contribute to upcoming internal and external stakeholder sensitisation activities as work progresses towards the finalisation and presentation of the proposed L.I.

Once the required processes are completed, the regulations are expected to provide a stronger legal and operational foundation for the National Health Insurance Scheme and support its long-term sustainability.

Grace Acheampong, ISD