Health

The Member of Parliament for Nsuta Kwamang Beposo Constituency, Hon. Adelaide Ntim, who also serves as Deputy Health Minister, has presented a brand-new vehicle to the Sekyere Central Health Directorate.

This generous gesture aims to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery in the district.

The vehicle, a rugged pickup truck, will facilitate the transportation of medical supplies, equipment, and personnel, ensuring timely and effective healthcare services to the community.

Hon. Adelaide Ntim’s commitment to improving healthcare in her constituency is evident in this donation, which is expected to strengthen the capacity of the Sekyere Central Health Directorate.

This promise-fulfilling MP has once again demonstrated her dedication to the well-being of her constituents, and this vehicle donation is a testament to her tireless efforts to ensure quality healthcare for all.

Addressing a gathering during a short event to present the vehicle, Hon. Adelaide Yaa Agyeiwaa Ntim reiterated her commitment to serving the constituency, urging the electorate to vote massively for the NPP in the 2024 polls.

By Akoko

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is pleased to announce the release of an additional GHC135.6million to healthcare providers across the country.

This disbursement is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of healthcare delivery under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

This funding is aimed at settling outstanding claims of February 2024 for the higher tier healthcare providers and March 2024 for the majority of our clients at the lower tier facilities.

It is also aimed at closing the gap between the higher tier and lower tier facility payments so that the only outstandings of the Authority would be within the three-month reimbursable agreed period with facilities.

This additional funding of GHC135.6 million was released in July, following an earlier release of GHC300 million by the Authority to mix tier health facilities across the country.

The NHIA recognizes the critical role that healthcare providers play in the success of the NHIS and is dedicated to maintaining a robust partnership with facilities without compromising on illegal charges.

We thank all healthcare providers for their continued dedication and support in providing excellent healthcare services to our citizens.

The NHIA will continue to engage with stakeholders to address any concerns and work towards a sustainable and efficient healthcare system.

Dr. DaCosta Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), paid a working visit to the NHIA Claims Processing Center in Accra.

The visit aimed to strengthen management and staff relations, as well as highlight recent reforms implemented by the NHIA.

During the visit, Dr. Aboagye showcased the NHIA’s recent achievements, including the launch of the E-pharmacy platform.

This innovative platform requires hospital pharmacies to upload prescriptions, allowing patients to access medications at local pharmacies or have them delivered to their homes.

The E-pharmacy platform aims to eliminate illegal payments and co-payments in healthcare delivery.

Additionally, Dr. Aboagye highlighted other significant reforms, such as:

– Issuance of Ghana cards to 6.3 million children aged 6-14 and linking NHIA cards with Ghana cards for individuals aged 15 and above
– Free dialysis for vulnerable patients and sustainability of the program
– Automatic registration of SSNIT contributors with NHIA
– Annual medical checkups for all Ghanaians

Dr. Aboagye emphasized the importance of registration and renewal via the NHIA short code *929# on all networks to access basic healthcare services.

He reiterated that the NHIA’s ultimate goal is to achieve universal health insurance coverage and provide financial risk protection for all Ghanaians.

The visit was seen as a significant step towards improving healthcare services in Ghana, and staff at the Claims Processing Center were encouraged by Dr. Aboagye’s engagement and commitment to their work.

By Sarfo Jnr

NTK Ventures’ only toilet facility locked, forcing residents to defecate in the street

The sole toilet facility provided by NTK Ventures in Hwereso in the Ashanti region is currently locked, resulting in residents being compelled to engage in open defecation in the streets.

The small farming community of Hwereso in the Ashanti region is facing a severe sanitation crisis as the only toilet facility in the area has been locked, forcing residents to resort to open defecation in the streets.

The toilet facility, which was provided by NTK Ventures in 2021, has been serving the community for the past three years.

However, it has been locked due to the residents’ misuse of the facility, which has turned it into a dumping ground for refuse.

According to Hon. William Kweku Obeng, a former assembly man of the Boankra/Hwereso electoral area, the situation has become unbearable, and the community is in dire need of assistance.

“The facility has been locked for weeks, and residents are being forced to defecate in the open, which poses a significant health risk to the community,” he said.

The facility not only provided toilet services but also served as a bathing facility and a water source for the community.

The operators of the facility have demanded that the refuse be removed before they can resume operations.

Hon. Obeng, together with the residents, is appealing to the Ejisu municipality and well-meaning Ghanaians to intervene and provide a waste container to help address the situation.

The situation in Hwereso highlights the need for proper waste management and sanitation facilities in rural communities to prevent the spread of diseases and promote public health.

Residents Urgently Need Your Help

By: kwame Asare

Addressing the crucial need for accessible healthcare services, particularly in underserved regions, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has inaugurated a modern district office in Kumawu, Ashanti Region.

Acknowledging the pivotal role of the NHIA and its newly appointed CEO, Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, Kumawuhene Barima Sarfo Tweneboah Kodua expressed profound gratitude for the establishment of the cutting-edge office complex.

Serving as chairman during the inauguration, Barima Sarfo Tweneboah Kodua extended special thanks to the President and Vice President for their commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure in Kumawu.

Reflecting on the project’s inception, Barima Tweneboah Kodua lauded the foresight of Prof. Adu Gyamfi, former NHIA Board Chair, whose efforts catalyzed the building’s development in 2019.

He commended Prof. Gyamfi’s dedication to the community’s progress and prosperity.

In his address, Dr. Aboagye conveyed appreciation for the warm reception and emphasized the importance of community support in fulfilling his mandate.

Outlining his strategic vision, he pledged to eradicate illegal healthcare charges, optimize NHIA ICT resources through Ghana card issuance to children aged 6 to 14, and enrich the NHIS Benefit Package with an annual medical health check for members.

Dr. Aboagye’s proposals elicited resounding applause from attendees, who welcomed his commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and affordability.

Notably, his initiative to institutionalize mandatory health insurance for all visitors entering Ghana received widespread acclaim.

Additionally, Dr. Aboagye announced plans to provide NHIA staff with life insurance policies, underscoring his commitment to their welfare.

He commended staff for their dedication and urged them to safeguard the new office facility.

Dr. Ernest Kwarko, the current Board Chair, affirmed the board’s unwavering support for Dr. Aboagye’s tenure.

Present at the ceremony were key stakeholders, including the local Member of Parliament, the District Chief Executive, and representatives from government agencies.

Deputy Chief Executive Admin and HR, Dr. Mrs. Yaa Pokuaa Baiden, and other NHIA officials graced the event, underscoring the collaborative effort driving healthcare advancement in Kumawu and beyond.

kwame Asare

The event, held under the auspices of KATH, aimed to appreciate the selfless contributions of voluntary blood donors across the country.

Dr. Kwadwo Sarbeng, Medical Director of KATH, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of dispelling misconceptions surrounding blood donation.

He reassured the public that professional medical personnel take utmost care, conducting thorough examinations before and after donation, making blood donation a safe process.

This year’s campaign focused on three key objectives, expressing gratitude to voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts; championing and raising awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products, and highlighting the importance of periodic blood donation drives to maintain an adequate supply and achieve universal and timely access to safe blood.

Dr. Sarbeng emphasized that voluntary unpaid blood donation is crucial for enhancing and improving public health.

He encouraged the public to embrace blood donation as a vital act of kindness, thinking about the lives saved in emergency situations.

The program featured presentations, awards, and recognition of dedicated blood donors.

It also provided an opportunity for medical professionals to educate the public about the blood donation process and its significance.

The event brought together blood donors, medical professionals, and stakeholders, reinforcing the message that blood donation is a precious gift that saves lives.

As the program celebrated 20 years of blood donation in Ghana, it also looked forward to many more years of promoting this life-saving practice.

kwame Asare