Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has launched the Electronic Health Services Application (NeHSA), a telehealth program developed by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to allow individuals to use digital tools to obtain healthcare services remotely.
Together, the NHIA, Ghana Health Service, Pharmacy Council, and Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) have decided to take the initiative.
The plan is to combine the drone medical delivery service and the E-Pharmacy platform, according to Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region’s Ejisu.
“The launch of the Telehealth services is a beacon of the government’s commitment to digital transformation in healthcare. This service is not merely an addition to our healthcare system, it is a revolutionary approach that brings medical consultations into the homes and hands of our people.”
“Our aim is to create a healthcare system that is not only resilient and sustainable but also inclusive and equitable. A system where technology such as Telehealth and E-Pharmacy are not just tools, but pillars of health service delivery that support our Universal Health Coverage goals.”
“Every government health facility across the nation will be connected through this service, ensuring that every citizen irrespective of the geographical location can access quality healthcare,” he stressed.
He revealed that the Ghana Health Service, the Pharmacy Council, and the NHIA will soon establish virtual booths and points of care near every community so that vital signs may be precisely taken and evaluated.
The move was hailed by NHIA Chief Executive Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye as a major step forward in the Authority’s efforts to make the NHIS available to all Ghanaians and visitors to the nation for extended periods of time.
“The Telehealth bridges this gap by providing remote access to essential Out-Patient-Department services, consultations, and healthcare resources, all through a user-friendly digital interface. Whether through text messages (USSD), phone calls, a mobile app, or a web interface, the NeHSA platform offers a suite of functionalities, including chat, audio, and video calls, to facilitate real-time interactions with healthcare providers.”
“This means that patients no longer have to travel long distances to seek medical advice for non-emergency cases. They can simply book an appointment, consult with their doctor, and receive advice, prescriptions, and even referrals all in the comfort of their homes.”
In addition to praising the government for providing monies to Executive Management for Claims payments, Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye joyfully stated that the number of active members of the NHIS had increased from 10 million in 2016 to 17.8 million by the end of December 2023.
“We have cleared 1.2 billion debt inherited from the previous government. Today with the help of the NPP government we have no Claims backlog to pay.”
The Telehealth project Coordinator, a Senior Manager, with the NHIA Management Information System (MIS), Directorate, Mr. Ebenezer Hooper gave an overview of the project and stated, “The Telehealth solution was developed and thoroughly tested for usability, acceptance, and fit-for-purpose.”
“The integrations were completed with NHIA systems, including Credentialing Systems, Membership, Hospital Attendance Authentication, Claims, insurance tariffs and medicine lists. We also integrated with external agency systems like the Pharmacy Council’s National Electronic Pharmacy platform, select diagnostic centers, the Food and Drug Authority’s medicine database, Databases of the Ghana Medical and Dental Council, and the Ghana Nurses and Midwives Council.”
“Additional integrations are planned after the pilot phase, which includes systems within the Ghana Health Service, Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and Private and Faith-based healthcare providers.”
According to Mr. Ebenezer Hooper, 22 healthcare facilities from the Greater Accra, Volta, Ashanti, Northern, and Western regions will be included in the initiative, which is anticipated to be piloted in six months.
“In addition, 150 CHPS compounds, community pharmacies, over-the-counter medicine-sellers and wellness centers will serve as Vitals Collection Points for this pilot.”
Source: newsthemegh.com