The Board of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has paid a courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace.
They announced that a major free National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration and renewal campaign will be held in his honour.
The visit, part of the Board’s working tour of the Ashanti Region, was led by Chairman Lawrence Nii Okantey Adjetey and included Chief Executive Officer Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, alongside other board members and senior officials.
Welcoming the delegation, the Asantehene praised the NHIA for expanding access to healthcare and strengthening the NHIS, particularly efforts to include treatment for complex conditions such as dialysis.
He described the Scheme as a lifeline for vulnerable populations and stressed the need to safeguard its sustainability.
“The NHIS means a lot to the poor, who can hardly pay for healthcare out of pocket. You must intensify efforts to seal all loopholes for illegal claims and charges,” he advised.
Otumfuo also acknowledged improvements in claims payments to healthcare providers and pharmaceutical suppliers, describing them as critical to restoring confidence in the system.
He, however, urged the Authority to sustain the momentum and clamp down on fraud and illegal charges.
In a show of support, the Asantehene pledged to personally oversee enrolment within the Manhyia Palace to ensure all staff and dependents are registered and active on the Scheme.
A key highlight of the visit was the announcement of “King’s Month”, a special initiative marking Asantehene’s birthday on May 6.
According to Dr. Victor Bampoe, the programme will see free NHIS registration and renewal across the Ashanti Region throughout May, with the usual one-month waiting period waived to allow immediate access to healthcare services.
The initiative is expected to enroll up to one million people, significantly boosting coverage and improving access to care at the community level.
Dr. Bampoe explained that the visit was both symbolic and strategic to pay homage and to tap into Asantehene’s guidance on improving healthcare delivery.
He noted that previous engagements with the King had helped the Authority tackle persistent challenges such as fraudulent claims and illegal charges.
“We came to thank him for the guidance he has given us, which has been very helpful, and to seek further direction,” he said.
The NHIA CEO also highlighted the government’s Free Primary Healthcare Programme under President John Dramani Mahama, describing it as a transformative policy anchored on prevention, health promotion, and stronger community-based care.
Board Chairman Okantey Adjetey reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to accountability and prudent use of healthcare funds, noting that steps are already being taken to address longstanding delays in claims payments.
He described the audience with the Asantehene as a privilege and expressed confidence that his counsel would further strengthen the NHIA’s work.
The “King’s Month” initiative is widely expected to drive a surge in NHIS enrolment in the Ashanti Region, reinforcing the Scheme’s role as a critical safety net for millions of Ghanaians.
With strong backing from the Asantehene and renewed efforts by the NHIA to improve efficiency and transparency, stakeholders are optimistic about the future of healthcare access in the country.
By Ibrahim Abubakar
