The Acting Regional Director of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Salifu Kombat, has embarked on a working visit to key stakeholders in the Upper East Region to strengthen collaboration and enhance healthcare delivery under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The visit, held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, forms part of the Authority’s broader agenda to deepen stakeholder engagement and fast-track progress toward universal health coverage. Dr. Kombat emphasized that stakeholders remain vital partners in the NHIA’s mandate. He reiterated the vision of the Chief Executive, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, which focuses on eliminating illegal charges at health facilities, strengthening claims processing systems, and ensuring health service providers are adequately supported to deliver quality care to NHIS members.

During the visit, Dr. Kombat and his team engaged with the Ghana Education Service (GES), Bolgatanga Municipal Health Directorate, Presbyterian Health Services North, and the Catholic Health Services Trust.

At the Bolgatanga Municipal Health Directorate, Dr. Kombat stressed the need for continued collaboration, highlighting that most NHIS members seek care in public health facilities. He urged the Directorate to help eliminate illegal charges in light of recent improvements in claims payments and the forthcoming revised tariff structure.

In response, Municipal Health Director Mr. Stephen Bordostiah commended the NHIA leadership for ensuring timely claims payments, noting that this has enabled facilities to clear outstanding bills with the Regional Medical Stores and maintain an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines. He also welcomed the visit as a step toward deeper coordination and appealed for the swift credentialing of more facilities in the municipality.

At the Presbyterian Health Services North, Dr. Kombat acknowledged the crucial role faith-based institutions play in the region’s healthcare system. He encouraged management to establish vetting committees across facilities and ensure timely renewal of credentials to avoid service disruptions.

General Manager Dr. Dennis Daliri praised the NHIA for its commitment to improving healthcare financing through prompt claims settlement and disclosed plans to upgrade facilities to expand capacity for community healthcare delivery. Similarly, during discussions with the Catholic Health Services Trust, Dr. Kombat reaffirmed NHIA’s zero tolerance for illegal payments, warning that such practices erode public confidence and attract sanctions.

He further advised management to strengthen claims submission processes through vetting committees. Director Mr. Peter Akudugu Ayamba pledged his commitment to eliminating illegal payments in Catholic health facilities and appealed for the credentialing of three additional centers — St. Francis of Assisi, St. Theresa, and St. Clement Health Centers — to extend NHIS services to more communities. At the Ghana Education Service,

Dr. Kombat commended ongoing collaboration, particularly in initiatives such as enrolment of pupils under the School Feeding Programme and the joint NIA–NHIA registration of pupils for the Ghana Card. He encouraged GES to continue supporting the full enrolment of all eligible pupils.

Regional Director of Education, Madam Alice Ellen Abeere-Inga, thanked the NHIA for prioritizing schoolchildren’s health and pledged GES’s continuous support to strengthen the partnership. The visit ended with renewed commitments from all partner institutions to work closely with the NHIA in advancing quality healthcare delivery across the Upper East Region. Dr. Kombat was accompanied by Mr. Collins Gado Anafure (Acting Regional Operations Manager), Mr. Anafo Ayine (Acting Regional Accountant), and Ms. Rufina Ankwain (Regional Public Relations Officer).

Source: Rufina Ankwain

Regional PRO – Upper East