The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has joined forces with the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) to conduct a registration exercise for victims affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage.
This collaborative initiative, known as the NHIA-UNICEF Flood Victims Registration Exercise, is specifically targeting non-members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), individuals with expired memberships, and those whose NHIS cards were swept away by the floods.
The registration drive aims to benefit approximately 48,000 victims residing in the North Tongu, South Tongu, Central Tongu, South Dayi, Kpando, Keta, and Ketu South Districts in the Volta Region. The primary objective is to reinstate access to quality healthcare services for those affected by the dam spillage.
A joint team from NHIA, UNICEF, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the World Food Programme (WFP) visited registration centers in the North and South Tongu Districts on Thursday, 11th January 2024.
NHIA delegation
The NHIA team, led by Mr. Oti Frimpong, the Director of Membership and Regional Operations (MRO), included Mr. Raymond Avinu, the Director of Administration, Mr. Oswald Essuah-Mensah, the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Joseph Homenya, the Volta Regional Director, and Mr. Christian Ashiagbor, a Senior Manager at the MRO Directorate.
The USAID team comprised Maureen Malave, the team lead for Nutrition and Social Protection, and Rasheena Reid, the Director of Education. UNICEF was represented by Mr. Robert Osei Tutu, the Programme Specialist for Social Protection.
During their visit to the Agbetikpo registration center in the North Tongu District, the team engaged with victims participating in the exercise.
They expressed condolences and emphasised the significance of the registration in restoring healthcare access, urging victims to collaborate with registration officers for a successful process.
Appreciation
Victims, in turn, conveyed their appreciation to NHIA, UNICEF, USAID, WFP, and the Government for their interventions and support.
In the South Tongu District, the team interacted with an enthusiastic crowd expressing joy and gratitude towards NHIA for the human-centered intervention.
Presentation of cards
Following interactions with victims, the team presented the newly printed cards to the beneficiaries, with each department director of the Authority presenting cards to the new members.
Mr. Oswald Essuah-Mensah stated during the engagement that the renewal and replacement of lost NHIS Cards through this exercise would enable victims to access healthcare, addressing the health threats posed by the floods.
Mr. Bright Kwame Nyatsikor, the Volta Regional PRO of NHIA, disclosed that the registration, initiated in December 2023, aimed to register approximately 48,000 flood victims in six districts.
He stated that about 30,000 individuals had been successfully registered by the NHIA Volta region team.
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