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NHIA Free Elderly Care Policy Takes Form
The global spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease worsened the underlying health problems of the elderly in all sectors of life.
To that effect, the Ghanaian government launched the “Free Elderly Care Policy” as a national initiative after realizing that the elderly needed the best healthcare and guarantees possible.
On December 9, 2022, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) implemented this instant healthcare program to address the numerous health-related issues older people experience.
This indicates that the government is giving greater importance to meeting the healthcare requirements of Ghana’s vulnerable groups, particularly those who are 70 years old or older.
Following the successful launch of the digital platform known as “MyNHIS,” the NHIA Governing Board began the policy directive with the assistance of the Ministry of Health.
Moreover, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Governing Board requested that the President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, endorse the policy in order to carry it out.
The presidential assent indicated the need for the nation’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) plan to be properly implemented.
As a member of the Scheme, the policy promises a waiver of the required 30-day waiting period as well as a waiver of the premium and processing fee payments.
Regardless of a person’s location, universal health coverage is based on the right to excellent, affordable healthcare services and equity.
Impact
In addition to the government’s Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) initiative, the strategy offers older people differentiated, specialized, and comprehensive healthcare.
Due to this, it is essential to address their healthcare-related concerns, which will improve Ghana’s senior population’s life expectancy ratio.
Members of the Scheme who are 70 years of age or older have been exempt from making “premiums” or contributions since the Scheme’s inception.
Only a processing fee of GHC8 for registration and GHC5 for renewal is required of those over the age of 70 in order to join the NHIS for the first time or to renew their membership.
