|
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.
Source: Shaniece Plam
Photo Credit: Isaac Marano Hagan
|