The National Health Insurance Authority Chief Executive, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye on August 2, 2023 inaugurated two newly built projects in the Western North Region.

These are the Western North Regional and Sefwi Wiawso National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) offices.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Western North Regional office, Dr. Okoe Boye thanked NHIS staff in the region for achieving 80 percent of their set targets of the Scheme's active membership.

He encouraged them to go the extra mile and attain 100 percent in line with the national agenda of Universal Health Coverage.

He said the expansion of NHIS infrastructure demonstrated government's resolve to make the Scheme accessible to all.

He commended the Regional Coordinating Council and traditional leaders for their continued support in government's quest to transform the lives of the people.

According to Dr. Okoe Boye, government's performance in all sectors of the economy, particularly the health sector is unprecedented.

He encouraged everyone to sign up for the NHIS and gain from the expanded Benefit Package which includes the four commonest childhood cancers and the free elderly healthcare care for people, 70 and above.

The Western North Regional Minister, Joojo Rocky Obeng hailed the 'new NHIS' and underscored the need to sustain it.

NHIS Funds capping

A former Minister of Health under whose watch the NHIS was initiated, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie bemoaned the politicization of health matters, particularly the NHIS.

He lamented the negative impact of the capping of the National Health Insurance Fund and said it was depriving the NHIA of the required funds.

According Dr. Afriyie, the state of healthcare in the country required adequate financing, and insisted that starving the NHIS of adequate Funds is a misplaced priority.

At a staff get-together, Dr. Okoe Boye interacted with drivers and district managers and promised to address key issues affecting their operations to enhance service delivery.

He thanked the staff for their dedication to duty and tasked them to remain committed and hardworking in increasing the NHIS active membership.

It was an opportunity for the frontline staff to meet face-to-face with their Chief Executive, who is concerned about staff welfare.

Dr. Okoe Boye met the Municipal Chief Executive for the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal Assembly, Paul Andoh and also addressed NHIS staff in the district.

The NHIA Chief Executive's visit to the Western North Region climaxed his working visits to all the 16 regions.