Source: newsthemegh.com
Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will now cover mental healthcare by the end of the next year, according to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The president underlined that everyone should be concerned about mental health during a meeting with doctors and surgeons in Accra. He also underlined that in order to reach the goal of universal health coverage, specialists must be on staff in all hospitals nationwide.
President Akufo-Addo says that in order for Ghana to meet its goals for universal health coverage, it is imperative that specialists are readily available. He thinks that this may be done through professional health groups working together.
He said that in order to meet the goal of universal health coverage, collaboration between the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Ghana Medical and Dental Council, the Ghana Health Service, and the Ministry of Health is required.
Ghanaians who have been pushing for the inclusion of mental healthcare under the NHIS were relieved to hear the announcement.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative influence on people’s mental health, it is anticipated that the inclusion of this will increase the number of Ghanaians who have access to high-quality mental healthcare.
The move to incorporate mental healthcare under the NHIS is a praiseworthy step toward strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system as the nation strives to achieve universal health coverage.