The newly appointed District Manager for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Juaboso, Mr. Bright Ankrah, has embarked on a familiarization tour of health facilities across the district. The purpose of the visit was to introduce himself to facility managers and engage with both health staff and NHIS clients on challenges and operations related to the NHIS scheme.
Mr. Ankrah began his official tour on Monday at the Juaboso Government Hospital, where he met with medical staff and administrators. The visit continued on Tuesday with stops at several health centers including the Anglican Clinic at Boinzan Junction, Kwawkrom CHPS Compound, Bonsu Nkwanta Health Center, Owusu Yeboah Maternity Home at Bonsu Nkwanta, and the Adamasi Clinic.
During the visits, Mr. Ankrah introduced himself to facility heads and interacted with staff about how NHIS services are delivered to patients. He also took time to speak with NHIS cardholders to understand their experiences.
Some facility managers expressed concerns about the limited range of medications and services they are able to offer under NHIS due to policy restrictions from both the Ghana Health Service and the NHIA. They explained that in certain cases, they are compelled to refer patients to larger health facilities when the required medications or treatments are not available under NHIS coverage at their level.
“Some drugs are not available under the NHIS list in our facilities,” one of the facility heads explained. “So we either ask patients to buy those medications themselves, or we refer them to a facility that can treat them under the scheme.”
Patients interviewed by Mr. Ankrah shared mixed experiences. While some confirmed they received free services, others claimed they had to pay amounts ranging from GH¢150 to GH¢200 after treatment, which they did not understand, as they believed all services should be covered by NHIS.
Addressing these concerns, Mr. Ankrah clarified that while the NHIS covers a wide range of illnesses and services, not all treatments or medications are included under the scheme—particularly in smaller or lower-level health facilities. He encouraged NHIS members to report any suspected extortion or inappropriate charges at health facilities to the NHIS district office for investigation.
“Communication is key,” Mr. Ankrah emphasized in his discussions with the medical teams. “Let’s ensure that we take the time to explain clearly to patients why certain medications or treatments might not be available under NHIS at their current facility. When we don’t explain, patients are left frustrated, and the reputation of the scheme suffers.”
He further advised facility managers to refer patients to higher-level health institutions when their facility is unable to provide adequate care under the NHIS guidelines. “If you cannot treat the case due to limitations in your facility, refer the patient rather than ask for out-of-pocket payments that may not be justifiable,” he stated.
Mr. Ankrah concluded his visit by commending the dedication of the health workers in the district and assured them of the NHIS office’s commitment to working collaboratively to improve service delivery and client satisfaction.
