Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority, has outlined the conditions covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme and explained how the Authority assesses new and emerging diseases.
He said the discussion on universal health coverage requires focus because illnesses have always existed and will continue to exist. Dr Bampoe noted that non-communicable diseases are now a major cause of mortality, which is why the NHIA is directing more attention toward them.
He referenced the Mahama Cares initiative and the free primary health care policy as examples of interventions aimed at improving access.
He explained that advocacy from groups, including those pushing for autoimmune disease coverage, is welcome, but every condition must be assessed through an established process.
He recalled engagements with groups advocating for lupus to be considered within the appropriate policy context.
“Going to universal health coverage, illness has always been with us and illnesses will always be with us. I think the issue is about focus. I talked about Mahama Cares, for example, and the fact that non-communicable diseases are now taking us away, causing mortality, so there’s a focus on it.”
“I also talked about free primary health care and some of the things, so it’s okay for autoimmune and others to advocate for it. What we do is that we have a process by which we look at what the conditions are. I remember someone approached me, a group approached me, about lupus and so on, and fitting it within the right context.”
Dr Bampoe stated that, nominally, the National Health Insurance Scheme covers 95% of all disease conditions. He, however, acknowledged that some conditions were not included when the scheme was designed two decades ago because those diseases were not as prominent at the time.
“Nominally, we say the Health Insurance Scheme covers 95% of all disease conditions. That’s what traditionally, in reality, there are some that have been left behind because maybe 20 years ago, when the scheme was being put in place, some of these diseases were not prominent.”
According to him, health needs are evolving, and the country must evolve with them. He stated that the priority of the NHIA is to adjust to new realities and stay ahead in responding to emerging health conditions.
“Things are changing. The important thing is for us to change with the times”
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
