Formation of GESI improves NHIS coverage in some selected districts

By
Florence Afriyie Mensah, GNA

Kumasi, Dec.15, GNA
– The formation of Gender Equality and Social Inclusions (GESI) groups in three
selected districts in the country, has surged enrolment onto the National
Health Insurance Scheme in communities in those districts.

GESI, is a STAR
Ghana-funded programme, being implemented by Alliance for Reproductive Health
Rights (ARHR) in Agona, Komenda – Edina- Eguafo – Abirem (KEEA), in the Central
Region and South Dayi in the Volta Region.

The focus is to
ensure that women, men, boys and girls in the beneficiary communities, are
empowered to pursue their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

It also ensures that
they are valued as equal active participants in the wellbeing of their
households, workplaces, communities and societies.

Ms Doris Ampong,
Communications Officer of ARHR, made these disclosures while addressing a
stakeholder validation meeting in Kumasi.

She said a
participatory monitoring of health facilities and services in the month of
November this year in the selected Districts indicates that access and coverage
of NHIS, had improved significantly in these districts.

In the Agona
District alone, she said a total of 2,304 persons, who were members of the GESI
group, were enrolled onto the scheme between January and September, this year.

A total of 2,273
people were recorded around that same period in 2018.

Ms Ampong said this
was an indication that efforts by ARHR in achieving universal health coverage
in the beneficiary Districts, are on course.

She said five
satellite NHIS offices have been established in health centres in the South
Dayi District, to address the challenges of accessibility with regard to
getting enrolled onto the NHIS.

Through continuous
education as indicated in the GESI monitoring tool, NHIS holders now accept
that not all health conditions are covered under the NHIS, thus   they ought to pay for these services.

In Agona District,
the report indicates that the relationship between the NHIS service providers
and GESI groups have improved through the collective efforts of the leadership
of NHIS and the community leaders.

There has been
cordial relationships between health service providers and adolescent.

This, according to
the report, has enabled adolescents to share confidential information with
health service providers.

Again,
newly-constructed health facilities in the KEEA are disability-friendly.

GNA