NHIA enters $6.7 Million Partnership Deal with USAID to Improve Quality of Health Care, Digitization and Access | Health

U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Virginia Palmer has announced $5 million in new U.S. funding to improve the performance of the National Health Insurance Scheme and ensure quality of health services in Ghana.

The Ambassador on Monday, March 20, 2023, joined the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, to launch the new, five-year partnership.

The NHIA, on the other hand, would be contributing $1.7 million towards this project, making a total of $6.7 million over the 5 years.

In a brief ceremony to sign the partnership, Ambassador Palmer said that the US Government funding will support the digitization of NHIA processes, make available the Scheme’s performance data, and will ensure that health services delivery is safe and effective.

“The health sector is at the core of Ghana’s development. It is essential for the well-being of all Ghanaians that funding for health is prioritized. A healthy population is a basis for a prosperous population,” said Ambassador Palmer.

Dr Okoe Boye however said that the NHIA-US Government partnership aims to improve NHIA’s capacity to digitalize all its information systems.

“Digitalization will make data available to NHIA to better communicate the Scheme’s financial and programmatic status to stakeholders. The partnership will also focus on building NHIA systems to monitor the clinical quality of healthcare services.

“This actionable clinical data will help NHIA advocate for improved quality of care across public, faith-based, and private healthcare facilities contributing to improved health outcomes across Ghana”, he said.

Dr Okoe Boye further said that the funding from the US Government would not only make the operations of the National Health Insurance Scheme transparent but would also make the scheme attractive which would increase the membership.

USAID’s integrated health programming supports the Government of Ghana in the areas of health system strengthening, maternal, reproductive, newborn and child health, as well as malaria, HIV, social protection, water, sanitation and hygiene, global health security, and COVID-19.

USAID supports the Government of Ghana to build a more resilient health system and prepare Ghana to face future health emergencies.

USAID is the leading U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAID’s activities and strategic partnerships support Ghana to advance an integrated approach to development. It promotes accountability, sustainable systems, and inclusive development.