The Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHFAoG) has called on private healthcare providers across the country to unite in addressing key health issues and strengthening the sector’s role in national healthcare delivery.

The call was made during the 3rd General Meeting of the Volta and Oti regional chapter under the 5th annual general conference.

In her welcome address, the Chapter Chairperson, Mrs Agnes Mawusi Nkansah, highlighted the pivotal role private health facilities continue to play in healthcare delivery—often reaching areas that public healthcare services cannot.

"Yet, for too long, our contributions have not been fully recognised or supported," Mrs Nkansah stated.

She emphasised that the establishment and growth of the Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana has provided a stronger platform for engaging policymakers, improving service standards, and attracting investment and innovation within the sector.

“We are ready to collaborate, share knowledge, and take bold steps towards transforming healthcare access and quality in our communities. We are committed to professionalism, accountability, and service, and we look forward to bringing together key stakeholders to shape the future of healthcare in Ghana,” she said.

Delivering the keynote address, the National Vice President, Mr Samuel Boakye, urged all private facilities in the country to work together in unity to achieve better healthcare outcomes.

Mr Boakye expressed concern over the current membership numbers, noting that while the association has over 1,310 members nationally, the Volta chapter’s membership remains relatively low. He encouraged the Volta and Oti chapters to intensify membership drives.

He added that delivering quality healthcare should be seen as a collaborative effort, noting, “No single facility can operate effectively in isolation.”

The General Secretary, Mr Frank Torblu Richard, raised concerns regarding the practices of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

He stated that announcing payments before they are actually disbursed places undue pressure on private facilities. “We urge the NHIA to initiate payments before making such announcements, as the current practice causes operational difficulties for many of our members,” he said.

Mr Torblu called for urgent action to address the financial strain placed on private facilities due to delayed reimbursements following premature public announcements by the NHIA.

Regional Coordinator of the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) for Volta and Oti, Mr David Nkegbe Agornyrah, encouraged private health providers to collaborate with his office to promote quality healthcare delivery.

He reminded facilities to ensure compliance and to register with HeFRA before beginning operations.

Mr Emmanuel Avinu, Operations Manager of the NHIA, acknowledged the vital contribution of private health providers, stating that their role in healthcare delivery cannot be overemphasized.

He added that the Authority has embarked on public education campaigns at the district level to help cardholders better understand and embrace the benefits of health insurance schemes.

During the event, the association officially launched its 5th Annual General Conference, scheduled to take place from 14th to 18th October 2025 in Ho.

The conference will be held under the theme: “Unlocking Opportunities: Leveraging Government’s Private Sector Development Policy to Boost Ghana’s Private Health Sector.”