The Eastern Regional Directorate of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has officially launched a major free NHIS registration and renewal
The Eastern Regional Directorate of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has officially launched a major free NHIS registration and renewal exercise in Suhum, aimed at increasing access to healthcare and expanding active membership within the municipality and surrounding communities.
The launch event, held at the Suhum Main Station, brought together government officials, health authorities, students, transport operators, and residents. The exercise forms part of a broader regional campaign to intensify public enrollment onto the National Health Insurance Scheme while also waiving the usual one-month waiting period for registrants.
The event was attended by the Eastern Regional Director of NHIS, Mr. Frank Addo, who underscored the importance of universal healthcare access and urged residents to take advantage of the free registration window before the end of the month.
He emphasized that the NHIS remains a critical social intervention designed to ensure affordable healthcare delivery for all Ghanaians.
Also present was the Municipal Chief Executive for Suhum, Lydia Ohenewah, who encouraged residents, students, transport unions, churches, and community groups to actively participate in the exercise.
She described the initiative as a significant step toward improving healthcare accessibility in the municipality and called on the public to support the programme fully.
Addressing the gathering, the Suhum Kraboa Coaltar District NHIS Manager, Mr. Philip Quarshigah, explained that the district covers both the Suhum and Ayensuano political jurisdictions, although administrative boundaries differ under the health insurance structure.
According to him, the district office is responsible for supervising and managing NHIS operations across the two areas to ensure effective healthcare administration.
Mr. Quarshigah used the occasion to educate the public, especially students, on the importance of enrolling onto the National Health Insurance Scheme and maintaining active membership.
He announced that the registration and renewal exercise would not end with the launch ceremony, explaining that NHIS teams would embark on an extensive community outreach campaign throughout the month.
According to him, registration teams will visit schools, churches, communities, transport terminals, and driver unions to register new members and renew expired cards free of charge.
He disclosed that the district office, located near Kibi Station in the same building as Suhum Rural Bank, would remain open for free services until the end of the month.
In a strong caution to the public, Mr. Quarshigah stressed that the exercise is entirely free and warned residents not to pay money to any staff member for registration or renewal services.
He urged anyone who is charged unofficially to report directly to his office for immediate action and refund.
The NHIS Manager further expressed appreciation to the NHIA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, the Regional Director, and the government for spearheading what he described as a transformative healthcare initiative. He reiterated that free primary healthcare and expanded NHIS coverage remain central to improving the welfare of citizens.
The launch in Suhum forms part of ongoing efforts by the NHIA to deepen healthcare access across the Eastern Region and increase public awareness on the importance of health insurance coverage.
COMMENTS