The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the National Identification Authority (NIA) have launched a partnership to register children under the age of 15, starting from June 10.
This collaboration marks a significant step towards expanding healthcare coverage and national identification for the nation’s youth.
The initiative aims to issue Ghana cards to these children, serving a dual purpose: providing access to healthcare services under the NHIS and acting as official identification through the NIA.
The joint registration drive, beginning on June 10, 2024, will establish registration centers in schools nationwide to streamline the process. This information was detailed in a statement released by the NHIA on Tuesday, June 4.
The Authority stated that by issuing Ghana cards to young individuals early, the initiative seeks to enhance their access to essential healthcare services and enable their participation in various socio-economic activities requiring official identification.
“The collaborative efforts between the two government agencies underscore Ghana’s commitment to streamlining administrative processes and broadening the reach of social services.”
“The agenda behind this joint registration drive contributes to a more inclusive society by emphasising the vital role of healthcare access and identity recognition for the Ghanaian youth,” it stated.
During a second-phase training session in Winneba for staff from the middle and northern belts of the Authority, NHIA and NIA representatives highlighted the importance of universal healthcare coverage and ensuring every child’s access to fundamental services in the country.
Mrs. Louisa Atta-Agyemang, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations at NHIA, emphasized the importance of this partnership in expanding healthcare access and building a more inclusive and empowered community.
Dr. Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, NIA Executive Secretary, highlighted the Ghana card’s role as a crucial tool for identity verification and access to public services, particularly for children aged 6 to 14 years.