Management of the Upper East Region National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has presented an overview of the implementation of schemes service with emphasis on the drive for sustainability to the Upper East Regional Minister James Zugah Tiigah.
The presentation which took place at the regional coordinating council (RCC) was organized to brief the regional minister on policies implemented by the Scheme.
Regional Director of the NHIS Sebastian Alagpulinsa said the region has 8 functional districts and municipal offices and currently in a process of establishing a satellite office in Pusiga under the supervision of the regional office.
According to him, the regional office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is dealing with a regional population of 1,136,945 with a growth rate of 1.2%.
The scheme has chalked a widespread patronage and utilization of health services especially over the past 4 to 5 years. The scheme is rolling out a one term payment system called Capitation as innovations for sustainability of the scheme.
The District percentage coverage of preferred primary provider selection against active membership as at October 16 2015 are Kassena Nankana 41.22%, Bongo 39.07%, Builsa 37.69%, Garu Tempane 35.00%,Bawku West 33.64%, Talensi Nabdam 32.73%, Bawku East 31.57%, Bolgatanga 30.60%.
The Director emphasized that all premium mobilized from the districts are paid into a common account nationally known as Consolidated Premium Account (CPA) which is basically to inject efficiency and safeguard the scheme funds against abuse in the hands of staff. The consolidated premium account according to him also doubles as a strategy to secure financial sustainability of the scheme for the people of Ghana. He also identified some of the challenges such as, inadequate staffing and capacity gaps and stressed that management is also mindful of filing vacancies across the district offices in the region
By: Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
