To address the increasing rate of mental health issues in the country, President Akufo-Addo has announced the inclusion of mental health care in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) starting in 2024.

“Next year, mental health care will be added to the benefit package on the National Health Insurance Scheme,” he assured.

Speaking at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons Maiden Awards Night on Tuesday, December 12, he stated that government has recognised the key to achieving the target of universal coverage lies in the availability of specialists serving all hospitals in the country.

Therefore, the government aims to set its target higher, ensuring that every doctor who graduates from medical school proceeds into specialisation right after house officer training.

This initiative is intended to ensure that the people of Ghana can have the best possible level of medical services.

“These targets which are being achieved by the developed world where doctors, nurses and other health care professionals migrate to can be achieved by Ghana.

"The Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Ghana Medical and Dental Council, the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health must work together to ensure that we also achieve this target,” he added.   

Also, as part of the government’s drive to attain universal health coverage, President Akufo-Addo noted that his administration is committed to improving access to the provision of the relevant health infrastructure, equipment and logistics including the deployment of appropriate technology.

He added “To this end, we have introduced “technology to enhance the National Health Insurance Scheme…which is the core of our health delivery system and we are making it work.”

According to President Akufo-Addo, due to the simplification of the renewal of NHIS membership by dialling *929# on any mobile phone, the active membership has increased from 3.3 million in 2019 to 17.2 million subscribers at the end of 2022.

He added that the chronic complaints over nonpayment have paved the way for a new improved regular payment regime to health facilities with two months' arrears.