Humanitarian extraordinaire and parish priest of the Christ the King Church in Accra, Rev Father Andrew Campbell has praised efforts by the NHIS in reaching the poor and vulnerable in society. Father Campbell told NHIA Chief Executive, Nathaniel Otoo, that the work of the NHIA was helping bring relief to many people around the country and urged the Authority to keep up the good work.

“Continue supporting the poor, they don’t have anybody. Some of them are always praying that they don’t get sick because they cannot afford the cost of healthcare. Continue helping these marginalized people so they feel loved and cared for,” he said.

Father Campbell made the remark on Tuesday when he visited the NHIA boss to commend the Authority for its interest in enrolling the needy and vulnerable populations of the country onto the Scheme, and to enlist the support of the NHIA in other humanitarian causes.

“I see it [NHIS card] work when I go to Weija, Ho with people who cannot afford it [healthcare]. I want you to continue to do this, that’s the only way we can help humanity, keep it up,” he encouraged.

According to him, he has been following the NHIA’s work with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in providing financial access to healthcare to the needy and less privileged in our society.

Rev Father Andrew Campbell (L) in a handshake with NHIS boss, Nathaniel Otoo (R)

In his remarks, Mr Otoo praised Father Campbell’s dedication to helping the needy and vulnerable in Ghana. He pledged the NHIA’s continued support to helping the poor get access to healthcare. He said Father Campbell’s commitment to bringing happiness to the needy is exemplary.

The Ghana Living Standards Survey 6, has put the number of the extremely poor among the Ghanaian population at 8.4%. This translates to about 2.26 million people. In 2015, the NHIA through inter-agency partnerships enrolled 1.2 million of this number onto the Scheme. According to the NHIA, this includes the aged, school children on the School Feeding Program, prisoners, head porters and many others who now have access to healthcare.

Rev Father Andrew Campbell checking his details prior to the issuance of his NHIS card

Father Campbell extended an invitation to the NHIA to join in his soup kitchen initiative where many street and homeless people are fed a meal every day at the Christ the King Church in Accra. He called on people of all faiths to abandon the poor and vulnerable in society.

He was later enrolled onto the Scheme and issued an NHIS card.

Father Campbell who is originally from Ireland has been in Ghana since 1971 undertaking missionary and humanitarian work. In addition to his work as the parish priest of the Christ the King Church at Cantoments in Accra, he heads the Weija Leprosaria and is a founding member of the Help Age Ghana an NGO that cares for old people.