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Report by Edward FRIMPONG
The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Bampoe, paid a working visit to the Bono East Regional Minister, Francis Owusu Antwi at the Bono East Regional Coordinating Council in Techiman, as part of a tour of NHIA offices across the region.
During the visit, Dr. Bampoe reiterated his commitment to adopting a hands-on leadership approach, stating, “I am happy to meet you. I do not want to be an armchair CEO, so I want to go round and see for myself the work and progress of the scheme. National Health Insurance started in the Bono East Region, and we are here to visit the various offices within the region and listen to the challenges of the staff.”
In a warm welcome, the Bono East Regional Minister, Francis Owusu Antwi, congratulated Dr. Bampoe on his appointment and expressed admiration for the commitment of the regional NHIA staff. “The Bono East Regional Office invited me for the annual meeting, and I must say when I listened to their annual report, I was very touched and said, ‘this is a solid team’. I will urge them to give you their maximum support,” he said.
The minister also highlighted key infrastructural and logistical needs in the region, including the need for three new NHIA offices in Pru West, Sene East, and Nkoranza North districts. Additionally, he requested for a boat for the Sene District Office to enhance outreach to island communities. He suggested that collaboration with NADMO could facilitate this effort, and pledged his personal support as well.
In response, Dr. Bampoe assured the Minister of NHIA’s commitment to resolving these issues. “We are already seeking solutions to these issues you have raised. For the boat for the Sene District, my predecessors made preparations and the boats are ready. We just need to expedite the processes around it,” he assured. He also expressed gratitude to the minister for his time and continued support.
As part of the regional tour, Dr. Bampoe and his team made a stop at the Holy Family Hospital in Techiman, where they engaged with healthcare professionals and listened to their concerns regarding NHIA service delivery.
Dr. Jacqueline Asibay, the Clinical Coordinator of the hospital, commended the NHIA for adding four cancers to the benefit package. However, she appealed for broader inclusion of diseases affecting children under five years into the package.
The hospital’s Administrator, Mr. Christopher Akanbobnaab, raised concerns about the need for financial protection to sustain Road Traffic Accident (RTA) services. He also called for more frequent reviews on the tariffs and praised the long-standing partnership between the hospital and the NHIA.
Mr. Bright Adzah, Head of Finance at the hospital, highlighted the tariff disparity between CHAG facilities and their operational levels. “CHAG has primary level tariffs, but this hospital is a secondary level facility. Secondary level tariffs for CHAG will be appreciated,” he emphasized.
Responding to these concerns, Dr. Bampoe disclosed that the recent uncapping of the NHIS Fund will lead to increased financial inflows, promising timely payments to service providers. “So far this year, we have paid GHS 964 million cedis in claims. We will try to review tariffs as frequently as possible,” he stated. He also urged hospital staff to assist in curbing illegal payments, noting that they are in close contact with NHIS members and can help improve accountability and transparency.
Dr. Bampoe commended the Holy Family Hospital for its dedication and excellent service delivery, assuring them of continued collaboration and support from the NHIA.
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