The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Nabdam Constituency, Dr. Mark-Kurt Nawaane, has spent a total of GHS92,230 to rehabilitate and inaugurate a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) office in the Nabdam District, as part of sustained efforts to enhance healthcare delivery and access to health insurance services in the area.

The fully rehabilitated NHIS office has been furnished with modern equipment and essential logistics aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery. 

These include air conditioners, laptops and desktop computers, office furniture, and other necessary equipment to support effective health insurance registration, renewal, and data management.

Speaking at the opening ceremony held in Nangodi, Dr. Nawaane underscored the importance of functional health insurance services in achieving quality and accessible healthcare for residents of the district. 

He noted that access to healthcare begins with access to health insurance, particularly in rural communities where financial barriers often prevent people from seeking timely medical care.

According to him, the rehabilitation of the NHIS office is intended to bring services closer to the people, reduce the burden of travelling long distances to neighbouring districts, and improve staff working conditions to ensure efficient service delivery.

“In addition to the GHS92,230 spent on rehabilitating and equipping this office, I have added an extra GHS10,000 as seed capital to support the registration and renewal of the first batch of people who have come here today,” Dr. Nawaane announced. 

He explained that the gesture was meant to encourage residents, especially the vulnerable, to enrol onto the National Health Insurance Scheme and maintain active membership.

Dr. Nawaane further reaffirmed his commitment to prioritising health, education, and social protection initiatives in the Nabdam Constituency, stressing that a healthy population is essential for sustainable development.

The Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Barimah Baba Abubakari, who was present at the ceremony, commended the MP for his intervention. 

He described the rehabilitation and opening of the NHIS office as a significant step toward achieving universal health coverage in the district.

Dr. Abubakari noted that the presence of a well-equipped NHIS office in Nabdam will help potential registrants save both time and money, as they will no longer need to travel to distant locations to register or renew their health insurance cards. 

He emphasised that this convenience will encourage more people to enrol onto the scheme, thereby improving access to healthcare services.

“This intervention will greatly support our collective effort to ensure universal healthcare, where no one is denied medical attention due to lack of health insurance,” he stated.

The Nabdam District Manager of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr. Jeremiah Awine Abulbire, also expressed gratitude to Dr. Nawaane for the support.

He assured the MP and residents that the staff of the NHIS office are committed to providing professional, efficient, and client-centred services.

Mr. Abulbire indicated that the improved working environment and availability of logistics will enhance staff performance and service delivery, ultimately benefiting the people of Nabdam District.