The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Victor Asare Bampoe, has identified policy consistency, fiscal discipline, and sustainable financing as critical pillars needed to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system.

Dr. Bampoe made the remarks during the Ghana National Universal Health Compact Roundtable held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

The high-level engagement, jointly led by the Ministry of Health and the World Bank, focused on translating Ghana’s “Fit to Prosper” vision into practical strategies for equitable and sustainable healthcare delivery.

Addressing participants at the roundtable, the NHIA CEO stressed the importance of maintaining consistency in health policies to ensure long-term impact and stakeholder confidence.

“Maintaining consistency in health policies is essential to ensuring long-term impact, stability and stakeholder confidence,” he stated, explaining that frequent policy changes often disrupt progress and weaken implementation efforts.

On fiscal discipline, Dr. Bampoe underscored the need for prudent financial management, transparency, accountability, and efficient use of resources to ensure public investments in healthcare yield meaningful outcomes.

He also described the newly launched Free Primary Healthcare Initiative introduced by President John Dramani Mahama as a major step toward sustainable healthcare financing.

According to him, the initiative shifts attention from curative care to preventive healthcare, a strategy expected to reduce long-term treatment costs associated with chronic and Non-Communicable Diseases while promoting early detection and healthier lifestyles.

The roundtable also featured remarks from the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who highlighted progress in maternal and child healthcare, immunisation coverage, disease surveillance, and digital health innovation.

He noted that government priorities include expanding primary healthcare services, strengthening emergency preparedness systems, promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and reducing healthcare disparities.

Vice President of the World Bank Group, Mamta Murthi, commended Ghana’s efforts in building resilient primary healthcare systems, enhancing disease detection, integrating healthcare delivery, and leveraging technology and local production to improve access to care.

Key commitments emerging from the discussions included expanding free primary healthcare, increasing coverage under the National Health Insurance Scheme, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and mobilising additional domestic resources, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The consultative meeting brought together representatives from government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, and stakeholders within the health sector to advance implementation of the Universal Health Compact.