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The Pharmaceutical Society of
Ghana (PSGH) led by its President Dr. Samuel Kow Donkoh and other officials paid
a visit to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) at its head office in
Accra on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. The purpose of the visit was to congratulate
Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye on his new appointment as CEO and to present several
suggestions aimed at strengthening the partnership between the NHIA and PSGH.
During the meeting, PSGH
emphasized the importance of not leaving pharmacies, dispensaries, or
healthcare facilities solely to the Nursing Care Assistance (NCAs), stressing
that the increasing number of community pharmacies (CPs) linked to the NHIA
would make it easier for people in communities to access these pharmacies and
engage with pharmacists for better health outcomes.
Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye highlighted
the role of the E-Pharmacy system as a solution to track the performance of
these pharmacies. This initiative is expected to enhance the efficiency and
accountability of community pharmacies within the NHIS framework.
PSGH also suggested engaging
clinicians from hospitals to collaborate with community pharmacies (CPs) in
providing preventive counseling, health checks, and raising health awareness
within communities. This approach aims to reduce the incidence of
cardiovascular diseases and other health issues through early intervention and
education.
Dr. Aboagye responded by
outlining the government's comprehensive plan to be responsive to the
healthcare needs of the population , which includes covering not only dialysis
but also other chronic diseases. He explained that the Promotive Preventive
Healthcare initiative is designed to ensure that people benefit fully from the
health levies they pay for. This
initiative is expected to increase NHIS membership and improve the overall life
expectancy rate in the country.
The delegation from PSGH assured
Dr. Aboagye of their readiness to support him in advocacy efforts. They also
expressed their appreciation for the critical role that pharmacists within the
NHIA are playing in improving healthcare delivery.
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