The Upper West Regional Management Team of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has paid a courtesy call on the Upper West Regional Minister and the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to discuss the performance, progress, and future direction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the region.

The engagement, held on May 8, 2026, provided a platform for the NHIA team to present updates on key achievements, ongoing reforms, and operational challenges affecting healthcare delivery under the Scheme.

It also served as an opportunity for the newly constituted Regional Management Team to formally introduce itself to the Regional Minister and RCC, while reaffirming its commitment to improving access to healthcare and enhancing service efficiency across the region.

The Acting Upper West Regional Director of the NHIA, Tindogo Rashid Mohammed, conveyed greetings from the Authority’s Chief Executive and Executive Management, and reported that the region exceeded its 2025 population coverage target by over 100 percent—an achievement he described as a significant step toward universal health coverage.

He further highlighted improvements in claims payments to healthcare providers, progress on tariff adjustments following NeHFAMS processes, strengthened interdepartmental coordination, and the introduction of sports and wellness programmes to support staff wellbeing.

He also noted the operationalisation of NHIS district offices at Lambussie and Daffiama-Bussie-Issa to improve service accessibility.

However, Mr. Mohammed raised concerns including illegal charges by some accredited healthcare providers, transport constraints affecting district operations, and limited logistical and financial support for enrolling vulnerable populations. He appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to support the construction of NHIS district offices, and urged stakeholders to back preventive healthcare initiatives.

The Upper West Regional representative of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as Mahama Cares, Stephen Donyuo, outlined the Fund’s objectives, including financial support for chronic disease patients, provision of medical equipment, training of specialists, and funding of research into non-communicable diseases.

He appealed for the Regional Minister’s support for the initiative.

In response, the Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, commended the NHIA for its efforts in expanding healthcare access and improving service delivery in the region.

He called for stronger stakeholder collaboration to address illegal charges by some providers and urged NHIA staff to remain committed and disciplined in delivering on their mandate.

The Minister further assured the delegation of the RCC’s continued support, stating that government remains committed to prioritising healthcare delivery and strengthening health institutions across the region.