In a collaborative initiative aimed at improving access to healthcare among young females, the Girls Club Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO), has partnered with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to register and renew health insurance for adolescent girls aged 0 to 17 years in the Juaboso District.
The initiative is designed to empower girls from underprivileged backgrounds by removing financial barriers to healthcare access. As part of the collaboration, both new registrations and renewals of expired NHIS cards are being carried out at no cost to eligible adolescent girls.
Speaking to the media, Madam Cecilia Dogbavia, a nursing officer and the Western North Regional Coordinator for the Girls Club Foundation, emphasized that the goal is to ensure that adolescent girls have access to quality and timely healthcare services.
“Research has shown that many adolescent girls in this district do not access healthcare services because they lack valid health insurance cards and often come from economically disadvantaged families,” she noted. “Our NGO is committed to empowering women and girls, and access to healthcare is a fundamental right.”
According to her, the initiative is not limited to only new NHIS registrations but also includes free renewals for those whose cards have expired. “As long as the girl is aged between zero and seventeen, we will support the process,” Madam Dogbavia added.
Mr. Bright Ankrah, District Manager of the NHIS, confirmed that the Girls Club Foundation formally sought approval from the District Health Directorate to carry out the exercise. He noted that many children in the district either do not have NHIS cards or possess expired ones, making it difficult for them to seek proper medical care when needed.
He further explained that the outreach efforts also aim to educate adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene and personal health, in addition to facilitating their access to insurance coverage.
“This initiative will not only improve healthcare access but also promote awareness of key health issues affecting girls. We are using this opportunity to encourage all parents and guardians to register and renew their children’s NHIS cards. You may never know when a medical emergency will occur,” Mr. Ankrah stated.
The campaign is ongoing and seeks to reach as many adolescent girls in the district as possible.
