Ghana’s healthcare system stands at a pivotal juncture as it strives to balance the dual imperatives of treating existing illnesses and preventing new ones. Chronic and infectious diseases continue to strain hospitals and clinics, driving a national conversation about the most effective pathways to universal health coverage.
In late May 2024, the National Health Insurance Authority convened a landmark meeting with the Ghana Health Service, the Christian Health Association of Ghana, and the Private Health Facilities Association to chart a proactive course through preventive and promotive health interventions. This strategic engagement signals a commitment to reorient healthcare delivery towards early detection, community outreach, and cross-sector collaboration.
At the heart of the NHIA’s new programme lies an ambition to address the full spectrum of Ghana’s health challenges, ranging from communicable diseases and non-communicable conditions to maternal and child health and the broader determinants of wellbeing. The initiative is explicitly designed to enhance both the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing National Health Insurance Scheme, with the long-term goal of reducing the financial burden of claims payments.
Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, emphasised the need for collective action when he reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to “preventive and promotive health interventions” aligned with Ghana’s roadmap for universal health coverage.
Dr. Aboagye outlined the economic rationale underpinning the programme, noting that strategic investment in early detection and health promotion would yield substantial cost savings for the NHIS over time.
“ This monumental intervention would potentially catalyse cost containment measures and enhance efficiency gains for the NHIA, which would ultimately enhance the responsiveness and sustainability of the NHIS ”
By systematically reducing the incidence and severity of preventable illnesses, the NHIA aims to channel resources more judiciously and improve service delivery across all levels of care.
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kumah-Aboagye, characterised the NHIA’s preventive-promotive drive as “crucial for sustainable healthcare” and highlighted the role of Wellness Clinics in facilitating routine health checks.
He underscored the partnership’s potential to institutionalise screening for hypertension, diabetes, and other risk factors at community and district hospitals, thereby embedding preventive care within everyday clinical practice.
“ We are proud to partner with the NHIA and other health provision entities in this transformative journey and are confident that these initiatives will bring lasting benefits to our communities ”
Representing the Christian Health Association of Ghana, Dr. Peter Yeboah labelled the initiative “a game changer for the health and wellbeing of all people living in Ghana”. He praised the NHIA’s vision for leveraging genuine commitments and effective provider partnerships to optimise economy, efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness in the design and delivery of health services.
Dr. Yeboah’s endorsement underscored the pivotal role that non-governmental and faith-based healthcare providers will play in extending the reach of preventive programmes into rural and peri-urban communities.
The ambitious scope of the NHIA’s preventive-promotive agenda necessitates robust governance structures and expert oversight. To this end, Dr. Anarfi Asamoa-Baah, former Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization, has been appointed as chair of the implementation committee.
Drawing on his extensive global and regional experience, Dr. Asamoa-Baah will guide the development of policy frameworks, performance metrics, and accountability mechanisms to ensure the programme’s goals translate into tangible health outcomes across Ghana.
Private healthcare facilities, organised under the Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana, have also pledged their support for the initiative. During the meeting, Dr. Sarfo and Mr. Richard Frank-Torblu emphasised “the role of innovation and private-public partnerships in advancing healthcare goals”.
Their participation signals a willingness to pilot digital health tools, telemedicine platforms, and locally adapted service delivery models that can accelerate preventive outreach and improve patient follow-up at relatively low cost. The May engagement brought together institutional heads to discuss concrete modalities for resource allocation, community outreach strategies, and collaborative service delivery.
Key priorities include scaling up mobile health clinics, deploying community health workers to conduct door-to-door education campaigns, and integrating health promotion modules into existing NHIS benefit packages. By synchronising the efforts of public, private, and faith-based stakeholders, the NHIA seeks to operationalise its vision with precision and cultural sensitivity, breaking down barriers that have historically impeded preventive care uptake.
Recognising that sustainable impact hinges on community buy-in, the NHIA and its partners have issued a clarion call for citizens to embrace the new interventions. Public awareness campaigns will leverage radio, social media, and local association networks to demystify preventive screenings and reinforce the value of early health checks. The Authority has urged individuals to participate actively in upcoming programmes, framing personal wellness as a collective investment in Ghana’s socio-economic prosperity and national resilience.
The NHIA’s preventive and promotive health initiative represents a paradigm shift in Ghana’s approach to healthcare delivery. By prioritising early intervention, cross-sector partnership, and innovative service models, the programme aspires to reduce the incidence of avoidable illnesses while bolstering the financial sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme. The collective endorsement from public health leaders, faith-based organisations, and private providers underscores a shared determination to realise a healthier, more equitable future for all Ghanaians.
Source: NHIA engages service providers on “preventive-promotive” health initiatives | Ghana News Agency
