The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, has said that digitization is crucial for the future of Ghana’s health system.
He said Ghana has been in “digital darkness” for years and that embracing digitalization is essential for the country’s progress.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, Dr. Aboagye noted the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased reliance on digital health systems.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the importance of digital health systems. It’s time to explore these opportunities to bring healthcare closer to the people. Digitization is the way to go.”
He also stressed the importance of scaling up the use of technology in healthcare, particularly through telemedicine, mobile health, quarantine apps, and voice booths, to achieve universal health coverage.
“We must focus our health system on wellness, and digitalization is key to achieving this. The solution to having a fully functional NHIS is digitalization” the NHIA boss stressed.
Dr. Aboagye also spoke about the NHIA’s efforts to support the health sector.
“We have issued advanced payments to hospitals to take care of kidney patients, and the free annual check-up for Ghanaians will help increase the life expectancy rate.”
He urged Ghanaians to embrace digitalization.
“I urge all Ghanaians to take lessons on digitalization because it is the new path to our development. We have been in digital darkness for 60 years, Now we see light” he said.
Dr. Aboagye acknowledged the challenges the NHIA faces, particularly with the informal sector, but expressed his commitment to building an NHIA that delivers equitable services to all Ghanaians.
“Our major problem as a scheme is the informal sector. However, we are fully concentrated on providing primary healthcare to our members and the people of Ghana.”
He also noted that despite the NHIL being capped, the NHIA is still performing well.
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