The Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) Task Force has held a high-level meeting at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Head Office in Accra, reviewed the progress made, and considered strategies for the policy’s successful rollout.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service (GHS), NHIA, and the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG).
The NHIA’s Operations Deputy Chief Executive, Dr. Senanu Djokoto, who doubled as the Co-Chairperson of the Task Force, emphasised the need to separate budgeting from service package costing.
“The service package will be analysed by experts across all levels — from community practitioners to headquarters. Strategic Health Purchasing will lead a detailed review to determine what is realistic and implementable,” he explained.
The CHAG’s Deputy Executive Director, Dr. James Duah, advised that the Technical Committee should carefully consider the scope of implementation.
“We may have to focus on the CHPS Zones initially, and along the line, take lessons that will help us scale up,” he suggested.
On the technical front, the NHIA’s Management Information Systems Directorate, Deputy Director, Stephen Bewong, revealed that a data-driven referral system is being developed to ensure seamless care.
“At the CHPS level, you will have free coverage. If you require a service beyond CHPS, your entry is a referral chit under the Free Primary Healthcare package, which will give you access,” he stated.
Adding to this, the Task Force’s Co-Chairperson and Acting Deputy Director, General of the GHS, Dr. Caroline Reindorf Amissah, stressed the importance of building an efficient referral pathway.
“We should be able to create a system where people move through the referral pathway without any problems. That is where the NHIS card may come in, but you may not necessarily be paying a premium,” she said.
The government’s well-intended Free Primary Health Care policy is to provide affordable, equitable and quality services to the vulnerable populations.
