The St. Theresa’s Hospital in Nandom in the Upper West Region has called on the government to review and adjust outdated National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) tariffs to align with current market rates.
This appeal was made by the medical superintendent, Dr. Sebastian Yidana, during the hospital’s Open Day celebration themed “Achieving Excellence in Healthcare Delivery; A Shared Responsibility.”
Dr. Yidana emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to address the hospital’s financial and operational challenges.
He revealed that since July 2023, healthcare institutions have been mandated to cover their electricity expenses, which for St. Theresa’s Hospital amounts to GH¢40,000 monthly.
He explained that this forced the hospital to introduce innovative measures, such as a ward fund, to maintain sustainable health delivery.
The medical superintendent highlighted several critical needs, including the provision of additional patient beds, increased staffing through support from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), and the acquisition of essential medical equipment such as an X-ray machine, 3D/4D ultrasound machine, anaesthesia machines, and patient monitors.
He also called for resources to complete the hospital’s theatre and improve internal roads.
Additionally, he urged the community to maintain active NHIS cards to ensure affordable healthcare access and appealed to the traditional council and municipal assembly to address ongoing encroachment issues on the hospital’s lands.
The Open Day celebration provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the hospital’s achievements and challenges while fostering dialogue on shared responsibilities in achieving healthcare excellence.
