NHIS coverage hit 66% in 2025 – Dr Victor Bampoe

Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, has disclosed that coverage under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) increased from 57% to 66% between 2024 and 2025.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV monitored by GhanaWeb on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, he described the progress as a key milestone achieved within a short period of assuming leadership.

“Between when I inherited the leadership here to now, between 2024 and 2025, what we are proud of is the fact that coverage has increased from 57% to 66%. We are really proud of that,” he said.

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Dr Bampoe noted that the NHIA has intensified efforts to reduce fraud within the system by introducing artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor claims patterns.

According to him, the Authority is also preparing to roll out a biometric verification system to strengthen accountability and eliminate irregularities.“We have continued to build on some of these mechanisms. We’ve introduced AI to make sure that we can look at the patterns of claims and eliminate fraud from the system.

“We are going into a biometric verification system that we’re going to be inheriting soon. There’s a three-point vision that I came up with with my executive management,” he explained.

Dr Bampoe also outlined a three-point strategic vision guiding the Authority’s reforms, aligned with the government’s broader agenda, including the ‘Mahama Cares’ initiative aimed at delivering free primary healthcare, investing in personnel with improved tools and working conditions, and reducing illegal charges and out-of-pocket payments to ensure affordable and transparent healthcare delivery.

He attributed part of the gains to more predictable and timely payments to healthcare providers.

“With over 5,000 providers, ensuring regular monthly payments has brought reliability and increased confidence in the system,” he said.

Dr Bampoe added that this has encouraged more health facilities to seek accreditation under the NHIS.

The NHIS was introduced in 2003 to replace the “cash-and-carry” system and to provide equitable access to healthcare across the country.

JKB/VPO

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