Upper West NHIA Achieves Nearly 99% Coverage, Urges Timely Membership Renewal

The Upper West Regional Directorate of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced that almost 99 percent of the region’s population now hold active National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) memberships.

Mr. Rashid Tindogo, Regional Director of the NHIA, revealed this milestone on Thursday, August 27, 2026, during the Authority’s 2026 half-year performance meeting. He described the high coverage rate as a significant achievement and a crucial step toward enhancing healthcare access across the region.

Mr. Tindogo, however, cautioned that sustaining this coverage requires members to renew their NHIS memberships annually. He noted that renewal activities typically surge in the second half of the year, especially in the final quarter, which poses the risk of membership lapses if renewals are delayed.

To address this, he urged members to utilize the NHIA’s digital platforms, including the *929# USSD service, which enables users to check their card status, renew expired memberships, access detailed information on benefit packages, and activate an auto-renewal feature designed to prevent coverage gaps caused by forgetfulness.

Additionally, the Regional Director addressed concerns regarding illegal charges imposed on NHIS members by some healthcare providers. He disclosed that the NHIA has received complaints from members asked to pay extra fees, with providers claiming NHIS tariffs do not cover their costs. Mr. Tindogo emphasized that NHIS members should not be burdened with additional payments for services included under the scheme.

The NHIA remains committed to protecting members’ rights and ensuring uninterrupted access to healthcare services throughout the Upper West Region.