The Greater Accra Regional Office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has organised a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for staff of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and other key stakeholders to prepare them for the implementation of the Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) initiative and the One-Time Attendance Code (OTAC) digital solution.
The training focused on equipping health workers with the knowledge and practical skills required to support the effective rollout of the two initiatives and improve access to healthcare services under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Leading the practical session, the MIS Manager, Benjamin Ankrah, demonstrated how NHIS members can generate their four-digit OTAC through the *929# short code.
He also explained how health workers could assist members to generate the code, including persons whose NHIS cards have expired.
According to Mr Ankrah, the digital system also provides a mechanism for authenticating Ghana Card holders who do not have an NHIS card, as well as individuals without identification documents, through the *842# short code.
He explained that OTAC is a four-digit code generated by NHIS members and used by healthcare facilities to process and submit claims for services provided.
Mr Ankrah said the introduction of the digital solution was aimed at strengthening the integrity of the NHIS, safeguarding the scheme against abuse and reducing challenges associated with claims processing.
The Regional Operations Manager, Harold Kalevor, stressed the importance of technology, effective data management and robust digital infrastructure in modernising health insurance administration in the Greater Accra Region.
He said the adoption of digital solutions would improve efficiency in the delivery of health insurance services while enhancing accountability and the management of healthcare data.
The initiatives form part of broader efforts to improve access to healthcare and reduce the financial burden on individuals and households. They are expected to contribute to a 20 per cent reduction in out-of-pocket health expenditure and increase access to primary healthcare to 95 per cent by 2030.
Speaking on the financing arrangements under the FPHC initiative, the Greater Accra Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Robert Amesiya, said the NHIA would adopt a front-loaded capital model under which funds would be released directly to healthcare facilities in advance.
He explained that the allocation would be based on the population within the respective catchment areas of the facilities.
According to him, the approach is intended to provide facilities with greater financial stability while strengthening accountability in the management and use of funds.
The Regional Chief Midwifery and Nursing Officer, Ms Vivian Dwire, who presented an overview of the FPHC programme, said the initiative would serve as the entry point to a three-pillar national healthcare structure.
She said the programme would place greater emphasis on preventive healthcare rather than waiting to treat illnesses after they occur.
Ms Dwire noted that the training was important in ensuring that healthcare facilities and their personnel were adequately prepared for the rollout of the FPHC programme.
She said the initiative forms part of Ghana’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, with a target of ensuring that at least 80 per cent of the population has access to quality healthcare.
Ghana’s current UHC coverage is estimated at 55 per cent, making the expansion of primary healthcare services critical to closing existing gaps in access.
The FPHC initiative is therefore expected to help bridge these gaps by removing financial barriers that prevent some people from seeking timely healthcare, particularly at the primary level.
The training brought together relevant personnel and stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the FPHC policy and OTAC system and equip them to train other health workers ahead of the nationwide implementation.
The programme is expected to strengthen coordination between the NHIA and healthcare providers while improving the efficiency, accessibility and accountability of primary healthcare delivery.
By 1960news.com
