The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is preparing to introduce a new insurance scheme aimed at patients with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, and excess weight.

Speaking at a media forum on Saturday, June 29, the NHIA CEO, Dr Dacosta Aboagye, explained that the initiative will enhance life expectancy nationwide and help meet the wellness goals outlined in SDG 3.

"Starting in July, the NHIS will incorporate preventive and promotive healthcare into its funding package. We are currently developing the tariffs," he said.

"We will begin with three key diseases—hypertension, diabetes, and body mass index [weight]—and will later expand to include additional labs, HPV, and other health services," he added.

This follows the increasing rate of NCDs in the country, significantly burdening the nation's health system and economy.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that NCDs account for 41 million deaths globally, which is over 71% of all deaths. Over 80% of these deaths are due to four main NCDs: cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

Although Ghana has limited population-based data on NCDs, research and surveys indicate that both NCDs and their risk factors are rising.

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Dr Aboagye emphasised that early detection of these diseases will significantly reduce their prevalence and prevent them from becoming the next pandemic.