NHIA Committed to Quality and Affordable Healthcare Delivery – NHIA Deputy CEO Assures Upper East
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has assured Ghanaians that the government is committed to delivering quality and affordable healthcare to all citizens through significant investments and reforms under the MahamaCare initiative.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA in charge of Finance and Investment, Ms Anatu Anne Bogobire, gave the assurance on Thursday, August 13, 2026, while representing the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, at a durbar in the Upper East Region attended by President John Dramani Mahama, traditional leaders, health-sector officials, Members of Parliament and other stakeholders.
Ms Bogobire said the government’s decision to uncap the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) had brought significant transformation to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), particularly in the area of claims payment.
She described claims payment as “the anchor of the NHIS” and said the government had prioritised the clearance of outstanding claims owed to healthcare providers.
According to her, about GH¢963 million in outstanding claims had been cleared by April 2025, while claims had subsequently been paid monthly to ensure predictability and stability for healthcare providers.
“Claims have since been paid monthly, every month since 2025, ensuring predictability and stability for our providers,” she said.
Ms Bogobire disclosed that total claims payments exceeded GH¢2 billion in 2025, with more than GH¢153 million paid to health facilities in the Upper East Region.
She added that between January and July 2026, the NHIA had paid a further GH¢1.4 billion in claims nationwide, while health facilities in the Upper East Region received more than GH¢100 million during the same period.
She said the consistent payment regime had helped restore confidence among healthcare providers and contributed to improved service delivery at the point of care.
The NHIA Deputy CEO also highlighted a significant increase in active NHIS membership, saying national active membership had risen from 54 per cent at the end of 2024 to 66 per cent at the end of 2025 and further to 76 per cent as of June 2026.
In the Upper East Region, active membership stood at 67 per cent as of June 2026, while an estimated 17 million Ghanaians had accessed healthcare through the NHIS since 2025.
On the government’s Free Primary Healthcare Programme, Ms Bogobire said GH¢443 million had been provided to retool selected health facilities to prepare them for the implementation of the programme.
She disclosed that approximately GH¢36 million had been released to 107 district health facilities nationwide, with about GH¢4.2 million allocated to 14 district health facilities in the Upper East Region.
She explained that the funds were being transferred directly to district health facilities to minimise delays and ensure that resources were available where healthcare services were delivered.
“This direct payment model reduces delays and guarantees that resources are available at the point of care for Ghanaians,” she said.
The Bawku West District Health Directorate received the highest allocation in the region, amounting to GH¢514,418.71, followed by the Bongo District Health Directorate with GH¢415,393.79.
Other beneficiary districts included Bawku Municipal, Binduri, Bolgatanga East, Builsa North, Builsa South, Garu, Kassena Nankana Municipal, Kassena Nankana West, Nabdam, Pusiga, Talensi and Tempane.
Ms Bogobire further announced the introduction of a cashless revenue collection system across all NHIA district offices nationwide.
She said under the new system, no cash would be collected at district offices for registration and membership renewals.
According to her, the reform would strengthen accountability, create a clear audit trail, reduce risks associated with cash handling and facilitate faster reconciliation and reporting.
“It is another step toward making the NHIS more transparent, efficient and member-friendly,” she said.
On the One-Time Authentication Code (OTAC), Ms Bogobire said the initiative was one of the NHIA’s key innovations for validating claims and ensuring value for money.
She explained that NHIS members visiting health facilities would be required to generate an OTAC on any mobile phone before accessing healthcare.
“This confirms that the member actually attended the facility and received service,” she said.
She disclosed that an NHIA team was currently in the Upper East Region piloting the system.
Ms Bogobire said the various interventions demonstrated the government’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system and advancing the country’s quest for Universal Health Coverage.
“On behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, and the entire management and staff of the National Health Insurance Authority, I wish to assure Your Excellency and the people of Ghana of our continued commitment to strengthening the NHIS and supporting the Government’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage,” she said.
She added that the NHIA would continue to pursue its mandate with “financial discipline, accountability and a clear understanding of the responsibility we have to the health needs of Ghanaians.”
Ms Bogobire expressed appreciation to President Mahama for his leadership and continued support for the NHIS, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to ensuring that Ghanaians receive quality and affordable healthcare.
Source: Felix NYAABA / expressnewsghana.com
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