NHIA Outdoors Free Annual Health Check- Up Programme

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) yesterday launched a major health promotion activity aimed at fostering preventive healthcare among Ghanaians.

The activity, Annual Health Check-up (AHC), is captured under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) benefit package and would thus offer free health screening for blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index checks as well as counselling and referrals where needed, for all Ghanaians 18 years and above.

The move by the NHIA is intended to address the surge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which currently accounts for over 40 percent of deaths in the country annually.

Speaking at the launch in Accra, on the theme, “Addressing NCDs and Chronic Diseases in Ghana,” the NHIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, said the AHC reinforces the Authority’s commitment to preventive healthcare as key to achieving global health targets.

“Early detection and interventions can prevent serious health conditions, reducing the burden of diseases and improve quality of life.

“Our free AHC programme is designed with these goals in mind. By offering free comprehensive screening annually, we aim to identify potential health issues at an early stage, allowing for timely treatments and management,” he stated.

Dr. Aboagye further explained that all citizens already registered unto the scheme would be able to access the package once they dial a short code, *929*1, during their birth month to access a special ticket which would be generated and sent to any NHIA accredited health facility for free care.

He encouraged all eligible persons to take advantage of the package, saying, “By participating in this free AHC programme, you are not only safeguarding your health, but also contributing to a healthier and more productive nation.”

The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, stated that the economic burden of NCDs were often way above the earnings of the average Ghanaian.

He said the alarming statistics and its resulting socio-economic cost on the citizenry called for urgent steps to change the approach for healthcare delivery in the country, from curative to more preventive and promotive measures to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

In view of that, he said the GHS has rolled out wellness clinics in all its facilities nationwide, as well as taken steps to promote paediatric and geriatric care for the population.

“It is, therefore, heart-warming that the NHIA is enhancing its package to promote health checks. This clearly will be a game changer and will go a long way to complement efforts of the health system and we look forward to its implementation,” he stated.

Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, in a speech read on his behalf, expressed delight that the AHC which had been on the Authority’s table over the last four years had come into fruition.

“Our data shows that about 30 percent of the NHIS claims burden is blood pressure and diabetes, and this is the first part of the preventive health insurance we are rolling out to address the situation,” he said.

Other health partners expressed their delight at the launch of the programme, indicating their support to the activities of the NHIA which is the second best in Africa following closely after Rwanda in terms of coverage.

The Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, in a speech read on his behalf, lauded the efforts of the NHIA which he said aligns with his initiative of promoting a cleaner Accra for better health.

He pledged the Ga Traditional Council’s support for the initiative, indicating that his office is ready to partner the NHIA to take the preventive healthcare message to the communities in the Greater Accra Region.

Source:dailyguidenetwork.com