The Acting Upper West Regional Director of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Tindogo Rashid Mohammed, has issued a strong warning to healthcare providers in the region to immediately stop charging illegal fees to clients holding valid National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards.
Speaking at the Authority’s 2025 End-Year Review Meeting held in Wa on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Mr. Mohammed reiterated that co-payment, often described as “top-up,” is not part of the NHIS payment mechanism. He emphasized that patients seeking treatment for conditions covered under the Scheme must not be charged any additional fees.
“There is nothing like co-payment under our arrangement,” he stressed, describing illegal charges as unacceptable. He disclosed that some service providers had previously been suspended over the practice, adding that while a number have since made formal commitments and been reinstated, others remain off the credentialing list for failing to meet required standards.
The Regional Director urged insured clients who are unlawfully charged to report such incidents to NHIA regional or district offices for redress. He explained that the Authority has monitoring and evaluation teams in place to investigate complaints and enforce compliance. According to him, failure to report such cases makes it difficult for the Authority to act decisively.
On claims reimbursement, Mr. Mohammed dismissed suggestions of persistent delays in the Upper West Region, stating that duly submitted claims are paid on time. He attributed occasional complaints to technical hitches or late submissions by providers, noting that the Authority has digitized claims submission, vetting, and payments to improve efficiency and reduce cash flow challenges for health facilities.
He further revealed that the regional office currently operates with a staff strength of 165, while acknowledging gaps in critical areas such as information technology, data management, and customer service. He said the Authority is working with its national leadership to address staffing constraints through redeployment and recruitment where necessary.
Looking ahead to 2026, Mr. Mohammed said the Authority’s focus is to restore and strengthen public confidence in the NHIS by eliminating illegal payments and ensuring the NHIS card becomes the primary and preferred means of accessing healthcare in the region. He described illegal charges as the “bane” of the Scheme and reaffirmed management’s resolve to clamp down on the practice.
