The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is anticipating that Ghanaians will be able to benefit from a free annual medical check-up under a projected universal health coverage plan set to be achieved before 2030.
At the core of NHIA’s strategy is the introduction of preventive healthcare measures, which will soon be assimilated into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) claim package.
Under this initiative, every Ghanaian who signs up for the program will get the chance to have an annual check-up on their birthday, with the goal of detecting and treating noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension early on.
This agenda, which will be covered through a set of innovative measures and reforms, includes the introduction of preventive healthcare measures, the expansion of the NHIS to cover more services, and the implementation of digital platforms to improve service delivery and reduce costs.
Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, Chief Executive of NHIA, who disclosed this at a media briefing, said the move is to reduce the cost burden on clients and the country. In more detail, he stated that the NHIS has been curative in its 20-year history, focusing on measures like hospitalization.
However, the rise of noncommunicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes has increased claims, necessitating further action to achieve universal health coverage. To reduce the financial burden of curative services in Ghana, we can adopt a preventive approach that involves promoting yearly health check-ups to identify medical conditions early and increase life expectancy.
Furthermore, the NHIA is working on implementing preventive health care as part of the claim benefit package. In your birth month, you will receive notifications from the NHIA to check your basic vitals, including sugar levels, BP, and body weight.
“These reforms aim to benefit all Ghanaians,” he added.
The NHIA has made significant strides in enhancing healthcare access, quality, and affordability for all Ghanaians, with the aim of achieving universal health coverage by 2030.
