Kwabena Mintah Akandoh announces NHIS membership rise to 70%

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has announced that active membership in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has grown significantly, reaching 70% of the population as of August 2026. This represents a substantial increase from the 56.3% coverage recorded in 2024. Speaking on the progress of the scheme under the President John Mahama administration, the Minister attributed this expansion to strategic financial reforms designed to stabilize and resource the national health provider. A central factor in this growth is the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), which has fundamentally altered the scheme's financial trajectory. According to the Minister, this policy shift enabled NHIS funding to rise from approximately GH₵6.5 billion in 2024 to GH₵9.8 billion. This influx of capital has allowed the government to increase payments to healthcare providers by an average of 50%, a move intended to reduce settlement delays and improve the overall quality of service delivery for beneficiaries. Minister Akandoh provided further details on claim disbursements, noting that GH₵2.1 billion was paid out in NHIS claims during the first nine months of 2026 alone. These timely payments are viewed as essential for maintaining the confidence of healthcare facilities and ensuring that subscribers are not burdened with out-of-pocket expenses for covered services. The government is also implementing an electronic bed management system to streamline patient intake and improve administrative efficiency across the health sector. The membership milestone is part of a broader push toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Ghana. The Minister highlighted the success of the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, which is currently active in 135 districts with plans for nationwide rollout. Additionally, infrastructure improvements are continuing with the construction of 35 hospitals under the Agenda 111 project, alongside the procurement of new ambulances and the expansion of nursing programs. These integrated efforts aim to create a more resilient and accessible health system for all Ghanaians.