Residents of Banda in the Bono Region are expected to save time and travel costs in accessing National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) services following the inauguration of a new district office complex.
The facility is expected to end the long journeys some residents have endured to Nsawkaw in the Tain District to register for the scheme or renew their membership cards, with some reportedly spending more than three days completing the process.
The new office brings NHIS services closer to residents following Banda’s transition from relying on the Tain District office to operating its own district-level facility.
To strengthen operations, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has also provided a vehicle, while the Member of Parliament (MP) for Banda, Ahmed Ibrahim, has donated two motorbikes to support registration exercises and outreach activities in remote communities.
MP finances construction of facility
The office complex was constructed using the MP’s four-year allocation from the MP Health Insurance Fund.
Speaking at the inauguration last Thursday, Mr Ibrahim, who is also the Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, said the difficulties residents faced in accessing NHIS services had made the establishment of a district office necessary.
He said the provision of the motorbikes would enable officers to reach communities that might otherwise struggle to access registration and renewal services.
Mr Ibrahim added that the fund had also supported the construction of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds across the district.
He further disclosed that plans were far advanced to provide accommodation for NHIS personnel and other government workers to encourage public servants to accept postings to the district.
The MP said he remained committed to using available resources to promote development, particularly in education, security and agriculture.
He appealed to traditional authorities and residents, especially the youth, to protect the facility and encourage more people to register with the scheme.
“I have vowed to work to improve development of the district,” he said.
NHIA targets wider coverage
The Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, commended the MP for providing the facility and supporting efforts to improve access to health insurance services.
He assured staff of the authority’s continued support and urged them to intensify membership registration to enable more residents to benefit from health insurance coverage and free primary healthcare.
Dr Bampoe said improving access to registration services was important to expanding coverage and ensuring that more people could benefit from available healthcare arrangements.
Assembly supports community outreach
The Banda District Chief Executive, Peter Dongi, said the District Assembly had been providing resources and logistics to help NHIS officers conduct registration exercises across the district.
He said officers had already begun visiting remote communities to register residents ahead of the inauguration of the new facility.
Mr Dongi expressed optimism that the new office, vehicle and motorbikes would strengthen outreach and increase membership, particularly among residents in hard-to-reach areas.
“We will give you surprise data by the end of the year,” he said, expressing confidence in the outcome of the registration campaign.
Staff urged to ensure efficient service
The Bono Regional Manager of the NHIA, Isaac Amponsah Badu, said the new office, with support from the regional administration, would contribute to efforts to achieve universal health coverage.
He urged staff to maintain the facility, treat members with courtesy and uphold integrity and efficiency in service delivery.
The acting President of the Banda Traditional Area, Pe Aboatea, also commended Mr Ibrahim for his contribution to improving access to health insurance services and other social amenities in the district.
The inauguration marks a significant step towards decentralising NHIS services in Banda, with the success of the facility expected to depend on effective outreach, efficient service delivery and increased community participation in the scheme.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
