Big boost for mental health …as govt adds 4 diseases to NHIS benefit packages effective November 1
The government has expanded the benefit package of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to include four mental health conditions.
These are Depression Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder and Schizophrenia Disorder.
Implementation of this significant addition will take effect from November 1, 2024 with the coverage involving outpatient services and the initial acute hospitalisation stage, says the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NHIA, Dr Da-Costa Aboagye, in a statement signed and issued in Accra yesterday.
“By this initiative, NHIS subscribers can access these essential services from any NHIS- accredited facility however, these services remain free of charge at the country’s specialised mental healthcare hospitals.”
The addition is to improve access to mental health care given that the country has only a few specialised mental health hospitals, primarily the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, and the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital,” the statement said.
It stated that the bold initiative was to ensure that mental health services, which are critical to the well-being of the population were readily accessible to every Ghanaian, saying it would remove financial and geographical barriers, allowing more people to seek the care they need.
The latest move it noted was part of a broader national strategy aimed at addressing mental healthcare gaps and accelerating the delivery of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Mental Health coverage under NHIS also encourages early diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues, which can prevent more severe conditions.
“Mental health is not solely about severe conditions such as madness; it also encompasses mild to moderate psychological disorders such as fear, stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and various sleep disorders that can escalate into serious mental illness if early care is not provided.”
Besides, the NHIA said it has noted that the stigma surrounding mental illness often deters individuals from seeking help. Many with conditions that could lead to serious mental health issues may hesitate to visit specialised hospitals, where care is free, or may find it unaffordable at private facilities, resulting in inadequate care and widening the access gap—an outcome contrary to the principles of UHC.
The inclusion of this service in the NHIS benefit package will ensure that such services are mainstreamed within the general healthcare system.
Adding, by integrating mental health care into the NHIS, the government hopes to provide a lifeline for individuals suffering from these conditions, enabling them to access necessary treatments without barriers.
The NHIA is committed to continually improving the NHIS to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the population. The expansion to include mental health services is part of a broader package of recent enhancements to the scheme.
Over the past year, the NHIS has added several important services to its benefits package, aligning with the government’s vision for a comprehensive healthcare system that leaves no one behind.
Notable additions, it said include family planning services, which are crucial for promoting reproductive health and reducing maternal mortality rates, as well as coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of four childhood cancers—Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Burkitt Lymphoma, Retinoblastoma, and Wilms tumour, which account for about 60 per cent of all childhood cancers. Provision has also been made for dialysis under the scheme.
The NHIA emphasises the importance of prevention as a cornerstone of healthcare and better health outcomes, informing the addition of free annual health screenings for all Ghanaians aged 18 and above.
“Our goal is to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their economic status or where they live, and we are on track to achieve this agenda.”
BY TIMES RESPORTER
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