Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has announced that mental health services will now be accessible to all National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) subscribers at accredited facilities across Ghana.
According to Dr. Aboagye, these services will remain free of charge at specialized mental health institutions, including Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, and Pantang Psychiatric Hospital. This initiative seeks to enhance mental healthcare accessibility nationwide, particularly in light of the limited number of specialized mental health hospitals in the country.
The NHIA highlighted that this development would significantly reduce financial and geographical barriers, making it easier for people to receive the care they need.
This effort forms part of the government’s larger strategy to bridge gaps in mental healthcare and accelerate the journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). By incorporating mental health services into the NHIS, the government hopes to encourage early diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, helping to prevent more severe disorders from emerging.
“Mental health is not just about severe conditions like madness; it also includes mild to moderate psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and sleep disorders. Early intervention is key to preventing these issues from escalating,” the statement emphasized.
The NHIA also acknowledged the role that stigma plays in preventing individuals from seeking help for mental health issues. Many patients avoid specialized hospitals, where care is free, due to societal pressures or the high cost of private care, resulting in inadequate treatment. This reality contradicts the principles of UHC, which aims to ensure that everyone has access to the necessary care.
By integrating mental health services into the NHIS, the government is offering a vital lifeline to those in need of treatment. This initiative allows people to seek the necessary services without financial or logistical barriers, contributing to a more inclusive healthcare system.
This expansion is part of a series of enhancements to the NHIS in recent years. The government’s vision for a comprehensive healthcare system that leaves no one behind has also seen the introduction of family planning services, coverage for four types of childhood cancers (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Burkitt Lymphoma, Retinoblastoma, and Wilms tumor), and dialysis services.
Additionally, the NHIA has introduced free annual health screenings for all Ghanaians aged 18 and above, reinforcing the importance of prevention in achieving better healthcare outcomes.
“Our goal is to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their economic status or location, and we are on track to achieve this agenda,” the NHIA affirmed.
