The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has called for a collective effort to strengthen Ghana's healthcare system, emphasising the need for equity, integrity, and access.

Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, the Acting Chief Executive of NHIA, made this call at a high-level stakeholders' conference organised by the NHIA in Accra.

Dr. Bampoe reaffirmed the government's commitment to universal health coverage, citing the removal of the cap on the National Health Insurance Fund as a significant step towards achieving this goal.

He noted that the NHIA has made significant progress in expanding coverage, with over 15.6 million active members, and aims to reach 20 million people by the end of the year.

However, Dr. Bampoe acknowledged the persistence of illegal co-payments and called for an end to this practice.

He announced the establishment of a Claims and Illegal Charges Task Force to investigate and eliminate unlawful charges. The NHIA has also implemented a new medicines tariff and is reviewing the service tariff to ensure that healthcare providers are adequately reimbursed.

The Acting Chief Executive also highlighted the government's Free Primary Healthcare Initiative, which aims to provide comprehensive healthcare services to all Ghanaians.

He emphasised the need for a phased implementation, funding mechanisms, and an accountability framework to ensure the success of the initiative.

Dr. Bampoe also mentioned the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, a vital safety net for persons living with Non-Communicable diseases.

He called for collective action to operationalise the fund and ensure that it provides the necessary support to those in need.

In conclusion, Dr. Bampoe emphasised the need for a collective effort to strengthen Ghana's healthcare system.

He called on all stakeholders, including healthcare providers, civil society, and development partners, to work together to eliminate illegal co-payments, restore public trust, and deliver on key government health initiatives.

With a renewed commitment to equity, integrity, and access, Dr. Bampoe expressed confidence that Ghana can achieve a healthcare system that truly works for everyone.