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Report by Edward FRIMPONG
As part of its ongoing efforts to make its services more accessible to the public, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) pitched a stand at the Odwira Festival at Akropong.
The week-long celebration started from Monday October 7, 2024.
NHIA staff in Akuapeman, supported by a team from the Corporate Affairs Directorate at the headoffice in Accra, clad in their NHIS branded attires were on hand, enthusiastically and joyfully engaging the public at the festival.
They will be there until Sunday October 13, 2024
The team is using the opportunity to register new members, renew the subscription for old members and raise awareness about the benefits of enrolling in the NHIS, the process for accessing the services at the comfort of any location.
The Director Corporate Affairs, NHIA, Oswald Essuah-Mensah, said that move aligns with the NHIA’s commitment to extending healthcare coverage to all Ghanaians, especially those who might not have access to or might not want to use the “MyNHISapp” or USSD short code *929# to access NHIS services and information.
He said the NHIA’s participation in the festival provides an invaluable opportunity for such people to register, renew their membership and seek information about the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He said the Odwira Festival, being a significant cultural event, attracts thousands of attendees from all walks of life, making it the ideal platform for public engagement.
“The NHIA capitalised on this setting to reach a wide demographic, ensuring that their message on healthcare access resonated with as many people as possible.
“Visibility and public awareness are critical to the Authority’s success in delivering its mandate. Public engagement is essential to increasing our coverage and ensuring people are informed about the benefits of the NHIS.
“We need to continuously explore opportunities such as this to raise awareness to keep the public informed,” he said.
Mr. Essuah-Mensah emphasised that by making NHIS services readily available in a physical, face-to-face format, the NHIA is working to ensure that no one is left behind due to technological limitations.
For many, signing up for health insurance, renewing their membership, or even getting the right information can be a challenge if they are unable to use digital tools like mobile apps or short codes.
The more accessible NHIA’s services are, the more people can be covered under the NHIS. Expanding coverage is key to achieving universal healthcare, and efforts such as these make it easier for individuals to actively participate in the health insurance scheme.
Some residents and patrons of the festival who spoke to the NHIA applauded the initiative.
Ama Manko, a Zoom Lion sanitation worker said her card had expired a long time ago but she has not had time to go renew it and also did not know how to do it herself.
“I am very very happy that you are at my doorstep today. Thank you for thinking about people like me and coming to do this,” she said.
Many people who spoke to the NHIA team shared similar thoughts.
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