The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in the Western North Region has launched a special registration and renewal exercise dubbed “Market Storm.”
The initiative, which forms part of the Authority’s nationwide outreach program, was held at Enchi and Sefwi Dwinase in the Sefwi-Wiawso municipality, with a particular emphasis on educating the public, especially market women, about the use of the *929# short code.
The exercise, led by Dr Isaac Damptey, Regional Operations Officer of NHIA, aligns with the Authority’s broader commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Ghana. The initiative seeks to bring NHIS registration and renewal services closer to traders and community members at major market centres across the region.
Activities during the Exercise
1. Health Walk to Create Public Awareness: The program began with a health walk through the principal streets of Enchi in the Aowin Municipality and Sefwi Dwinase in the Sefwi-Wiawso Municipality.
Staff of the NHIA, community volunteers, and opinion leaders participated, carrying the NHIS handbooks and banners that highlighted the benefits of NHIS membership. The walk drew public attention and created a lively atmosphere that encouraged community members to learn more about the scheme.
2. Durbars with Opinion Leaders and Stakeholders: As part of the sensitisation activities, durbars were held in both communities, bringing together chiefs, queen mothers, assembly members, market women, and youth groups.
The Regional Operations Director, Dr. Isaac Damptey, used the platform to educate participants on the importance of timely enrollment and renewal of NHIS cards. He also re-emphasised the NHIA’s continuous efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and improving service delivery at accredited health facilities.
3. New registration and renewal exercise was organised alongside the registration exercise to promote preventive healthcare among community members. The session was well-received and encouraged residents to prioritise their health.
5. On-site Registration and Renewal of NHIS Membership: Mobile registration and renewal centers were set up at the market grounds to provide immediate services. Many traders and residents took advantage of the opportunity to register for the first time, renew expired memberships, and link their NHIS cards to their Ghana Cards for easier access to healthcare.
In conclusion, the Operation Storm the Market initiative has proven to be an effective strategy for expanding NHIS coverage and deepening community engagement.
The NHIA reaffirms its commitment to sustaining such outreach activities to ensure that every resident has access to affordable healthcare services under Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme.
