Govt Adds 4 Diseases To NHIS Benefit Packages Effective November 1
Immanuel Amuah 
As of November 1, the government has added four diseases to NHIS benefit packages. Four mental health conditions have been added to the National Health Insurance Scheme's (NHIS) benefit package by the government.
These include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression disorders.
According to a statement signed and released in Accra, Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NHIA, stated that the implementation of this significant addition will begin on November 1, 2024, with coverage encompassing outpatient services and the initial acute hospitalization stage.
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By this initiative, NHIS subscribers can access these essential services from any NHIS- accredited facility however, these services remain free of charge at the country’s specialised mental healthcare hospitals.
Given that the nation only has a few specialized mental health hospitals—most notably the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, and the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital—the addition is intended to increase access to mental health care, the statement stated.
Financial and geographic barriers would be removed, enabling more individuals to seek the care they require, according to the bold effort, which aimed to guarantee that mental health services, which are vital to the population's well-being, were easily accessible to every Ghanaian.
Mental health is not solely about severe conditions such as madness; it also encompasses mild to moderate psychological disorders such as fear, stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and various sleep disorders that can escalate into serious mental illness if early care is not provided.
Additionally, the NHIA reported that it has seen that stigma around mental illness often deters people from seeking treatment. Since care in specialized hospitals is free, many persons with conditions that can lead to serious mental health issues may be reluctant to attend there or may find private facilities too costly. This could go against UHC's principles by resulting in poor care and a bigger access gap.
Such services will be mainstreamed inside the general healthcare system thanks to their inclusion in the NHIS benefit package.
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Furthermore, the government intends to give those with mental health disorders a lifeline by including mental health services in the NHIS, allowing them to get the therapies they need without any obstacles.
The NHIA is committed to continuously improving the NHIS to meet the population's evolving healthcare needs. The program has recently undergone a number of enhancements, including the addition of mental health services.
The NHIS has added several important services in recent months, broadening its benefits package in line with the government's objective of a universal healthcare system.
It stated that coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of four childhood cancers—Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Burkitt Lymphoma, Retinoblastoma, and Wilms tumor—which make up roughly 60% of all childhood cancers, as well as family planning services, which are essential for fostering reproductive health and lowering maternal mortality rates, are noteworthy additions. Additionally, dialysis has been included in the plan.
Free annual health screenings for all Ghanaians 18 years of age and older have been added as a result of the NHIA's emphasis on prevention as the cornerstone of healthcare and improved health outcomes.
Our goal is to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their economic status or where they live, and we are on track to achieve this agenda.
