By Godfred A. Polkuu,
GNA
Bolgatanga, Aug. 7,
GNA – The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in the Upper East Region,
on Tuesday reviewed its mid-year performance to enable the Authority take stock
of its activities and strategize towards the ultimate goal and vision of
government in achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
The review meeting
brought together Regional and District Managers of the Authority across the
Region, officials from the Ghana Health Service, the Ghana Education Service,
the Department of Social Welfare and other stakeholders including the media.
Mr Sabastian Alagpulinsa,
the Upper East Regional Director of the NHIA, at the opening of the two-day
meeting said it was imperative for the Authority to evaluate its performance
and discuss how to retain its achievements so far, and find solutions to their
shortcomings.
He disclosed that out
of the second quarter membership target of 369,368, the Authority had
registered 295,358 representing 80 percent, and 72,374 against an indigent
target of 38,210 representing 189 percent.
“The mobile renewal
solution is also well patronized in the Region and out of the target of 98,460
to be enrolled via the mobile renewal system, 107, 363 members renewed their
cards using the system, representing 109 percent.”
This, according to Mr
Alagpulinsa had rejuvenated people’s confidence in the insurance scheme, and
noted that “we are performing well regarding our revenue indicator. For
example, we have mobilized GH?2,988,814.00 out of the second quarter target of
GH?2,994,905.00 roughly representing 100 percent for the period under review.”
He indicated that
this massive drive at the membership front would lead the Authority to achieve
UHC which undoubtedly was a critical indicator for poverty reduction and
greater productivity, with benefits to provide financial risk protection and
achieve equity in health care delivery in the country.
The Regional Director
said through effective management, and the instrumentality of the Chief
Executive Officer, Dr Baaba Dsane Selby, all hospitals had been reimbursed up
to August, and all Health Centres and Community-Based Health Planning and
Services (CHPS) compounds had equally been reimbursed their claims up to
October 2018.
He said management
was working to ensure that all claims owed to service providers were paid up to
date, adding that resourcing of the Districts and Regional offices had improved
with timely release of funds and supply of new computers to ensure smooth
implementation of all planned activities for the year.
Mr Alagpulinsa said
the Region within the period received three new vehicles from the Authority
which were shared among the Bolgatanga Municipal, Bawku West District and the
Regional office to facilitate activities of the Authority.
He said in spite of
management’s efforts to ensure smooth administration of the Authority, it was
confronted with challenges such as low registration of school feeding pupils in
the Region, delay in reimbursing providers claims, illegal copayments among
others.
“There are also some
network limitations, ignorance on the part of some of our people in handling the
mobile renewal processes, inadequate motorbikes to be able to access difficult
to reach communities and the lack of some critical staff, especially Management
Information System officers in some district offices.
Dr Winfred Ofosu, the
Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, noted that towards the last
quarter of 2018, the Authority did well in terms of reimbursement.
“In fact some of us
thought that this trend was going to continue when we entered 2019.
Unfortunately that is not what we are seeing.”
He said it was good
to know that reimbursements to some facilities were made up to October 2018,
and called on the Authority to ensure that arrears owed service providers were
settled to enable them render quality health care services.
GNA
