President Mahama Urges Ghanaians to Keep NHIS Registration Despite Free Primary Healthcare
President John Dramani Mahama has encouraged Ghanaians to register and remain registered with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) even as government rolls out its Free Primary Healthcare Programme, which provides basic care at no cost.
He explained that while primary healthcare services are free, patients who require treatment beyond the CHPS compound or health centre level will need an NHIS card when referred to the district hospital.
“Although Primary Healthcare is free, I still encourage every Ghanaian to register for the National Health Insurance Scheme,” he said.
The President made this admonition during his address at a Free Primary Healthcare Durbar at Fian in the Upper West Region on Friday.
The President said the reason for maintaining registration was straightforward, given that more advanced care depends on insurance coverage.
“The reason is simple: if your condition requires treatment beyond the CHPS compound or health centre, you will be referred to the district hospital, where your NHIS card becomes essential. Keep your NHIS card because you never know when you may need it,” he said.
President Mahama said the NHIS is functioning better than it was when his government assumed office, when health facilities were owed substantial arrears and many hospitals struggled to recover the cost of treating patients.
“I am pleased to say that the NHIS is functioning much better today. When we assumed office, health facilities were owed substantial arrears, and many hospitals struggled to recover the cost of treating patients,” he said.
He said those arrears have since been cleared, claims are now paid promptly, and reimbursement rates have been increased for the first time in more than fifteen years.
“Today, those arrears have been cleared, claims are paid promptly, and reimbursement rates have been increased after remaining unchanged for more than fifteen years. No hospital should now refuse treatment because NHIS claims have not been paid,” he said.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
