The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, has clarified that his organization has not yet made a decision on the national health insurance policy aimed at covering foreigners visiting the country for a short period.
Recent reports suggested that foreigners would be required to pay between $45 to $240 for insurance coverage under the new policy.
The policy, known as “National Non-Resident Visitors Health Insurance”, was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners and is set to kick off on July 1, 2024. It is designed specifically for non-residents who are in the country for less than six months in any 12-month period.
The former Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, had announced the policy in February, emphasizing the importance of providing quality and accessible healthcare for both residents and non-residents in line with the National Health Insurance Act, 2012 (Act 852). This act mandates that non-residents have access to equitable health services through a form of national health insurance.
Despite the controversies surrounding the policy, Dr. Aboagye stressed that the NHIA has not finalized any details for its implementation. He emphasized that the Executive Management and Board of the NHIA have not determined the way forward for the policy, which was developed in 2023 and launched in February 2024.
Dr. Aboagye also pointed out that any implementation of the policy would require cabinet and parliamentary approvals, as well as input from stakeholders and the Attorney General. He debunked the proposed start date of July 1, 2024, stating that it is false and that he is unaware of such a date.
In light of the misinformation circulating about the policy, Dr. Aboagye urged the public to disregard such information until official decisions and announcements are made by the NHIA.
