Accra, Ghana – Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has achieved 70 percent Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as of the first half of 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward ensuring equitable access to healthcare.
The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, announced the achievement during a staff durbar held at the Authority’s head office in Accra, where he praised employees for their dedication and commitment to expanding health insurance coverage across the country.
According to Dr. Bampoe, the NHIS has recorded remarkable growth in coverage, increasing from 56 percent to approximately 70 percent within a relatively short period.
“These are things that people see… that connect us to people, and that is why I am so proud that when we came in, our coverage was 56 percent and now I am being told we are hovering around 70 percent. I think we must be proud of ourselves,” he said.
He described the progress as evidence of the hard work of NHIA staff and said the NHIS continues to position itself as one of Africa’s leading public health insurance programmes.
Innovative campaigns driving enrolment
Dr. Bampoe attributed the increase in coverage to several targeted enrolment initiatives introduced by the Authority, including the Market Storm, Campus Connect, and Faith and Wellness Drive campaigns. He noted that these outreach programmes have helped expand access to the scheme while attracting younger populations and underserved communities.
The NHIA Chief Executive, however, cautioned against complacency, stressing that sustaining and expanding coverage would require even greater commitment from staff.
“Whilst we should be proud of how far we have come, we shouldn’t be complacent, because our next chapter will demand even greater commitment from us,” he stated.
Focus on innovation and quality service
Dr. Bampoe urged employees to embrace innovation and continuously improve service delivery as the Authority works toward higher levels of Universal Health Coverage.
He said future success would depend on smarter systems, fresh ideas, and stronger collaboration to meet the evolving healthcare needs of Ghanaians.
He also called on staff to uphold professionalism, integrity, accountability, punctuality, and excellent customer service, describing these values as essential to maintaining public confidence in the NHIS.
“Let’s continue to improve on our professionalism, our integrity, our punctuality, our accountability and excellent customer service. Let these principles define everything that you do,” he urged.
The NHIA Chief Executive further encouraged prudent management of the Authority’s resources, noting that every cedi saved through efficient stewardship could be reinvested into improving healthcare services and expanding benefits for subscribers.
Progress toward Universal Health Coverage
Universal Health Coverage aims to ensure that everyone can access quality health services without suffering financial hardship. Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme remains one of the country’s principal mechanisms for achieving this goal by improving financial protection and expanding access to essential healthcare services.
The latest coverage milestone comes as Ghana continues implementing health sector reforms aimed at strengthening primary healthcare, improving digital access to NHIS services, and increasing enrolment among vulnerable populations.
