The Office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in the Upper West Region has identified financial and budgetary constraints, shortage of consumables, inadequate human resources, transportation and logistical difficulties, illegal charges, and persistent network challenges, including non-functional modems, as key obstacles to the smooth running of its operations in the region.
These challenges were outlined during the Authority’s 2025 Mid-Year Performance and Peer Review Meeting, held on 5 August 2025, in Wa under the theme “Consolidating Gains and Charting a New Path for Universal Health Coverage.”
The meeting brought together all Regional Office staff, four staff members from each district office, district and regional drivers, and the three best data entry clerks in the region. Its objective was to review activities from January to June 2025, assess performance in areas such as general membership, vulnerable groups registration, mobile renewal, and revenue mobilisation, and to share strategies to boost performance in the second half of the year.
Acting Regional Director, Tindogo Rashid Mohammed, in his welcome remarks, acknowledged that while the Upper West Region has achieved enviable gains in Universal Health Coverage (UHC), performance levels still require improvement through greater dedication and hard work.
He disclosed that as of mid-year, the region’s active membership stood at 626,441 representing 76% of the regional target and 63% of the total population coverage with indigent registration at 182,513, representing 61% of the annual target.
Acting Regional Operations Manager, Lilly Yendaw, presented detailed district-level performance data and urged district managers to motivate their teams and maintain a supportive work environment to drive membership growth.
Participants were divided into three groups to brainstorm strategies in publicity, indigent registrations, and general membership mobilisation. Recommendations included intensified community sensitisation, targeted outreach for vulnerable groups, and improved collaboration with stakeholders.
Despite the challenges, Mohammed commended staff for their resilience and urged them to implement the agreed strategies while tailoring them to their district-specific needs.
He emphasised that sustaining UHC in the region requires collective effort, and reiterated management’s commitment to initiatives such as prompt payment of claims, the upcoming Free Primary Health Care programme, and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.
He concluded by stressing that the Upper West Region must remain a model for UHC in Ghana, and that overcoming financial, logistical, and staffing challenges will be crucial to achieving this goal.
Reporting in the Upper West Region by Alhassan Tajudeen
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