The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has identified unreliable network connectivity as one of the major obstacles affecting healthcare registration and renewal services in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa and Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira districts of the Central Region.
The District Manager overseeing the two districts, Hon. Benjamin Coleman, said persistent internet challenges continue to undermine the efficient delivery of NHIS services, causing delays in registration exercises and inconveniencing both staff and clients.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement in the Twifo Hemang District, Hon. Coleman explained that unstable network signals frequently interrupt administrative operations, making it difficult for officers to process new registrations and renewals within a reasonable time.
He disclosed that in several instances, NHIS field teams have been compelled to relocate mobile registration centres from communities with weak network coverage to neighbouring towns where internet connectivity is more stable. According to him, the arrangement places an additional burden on both officials and residents, as transporting equipment and accommodating large numbers of applicants in different locations is neither convenient nor sustainable.
Hon. Coleman further appealed to the public to register with the scheme and renew their memberships before the need for medical attention arises, stressing that early registration would help reduce pressure on district offices and ensure uninterrupted access to healthcare services.
He expressed concern over the increasing number of residents who only visit NHIS offices when faced with medical emergencies, expecting immediate processing of their applications. He particularly cited parents and guardians of first-year Senior High School students, many of whom seek urgent registration at the last minute, creating long queues and avoidable delays.
According to him, the NHIS registration process involves verification and other administrative procedures that require adequate time, making proactive enrolment the most effective way to avoid inconvenience during periods of urgent healthcare needs.
Meanwhile, the Central Regional Director of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Mr. Oduro Sekyere Thompson, assured residents that the operational challenges caused by poor network connectivity in some communities have not affected the overall performance and sustainability of the scheme.
He indicated that the implementation of the government’s Free Health Care programme is progressing steadily across the region and that measures are being adopted to improve accessibility and service delivery for beneficiaries.
Mr. Thompson encouraged members of the public to take advantage of digital platforms to renew their NHIS memberships instead of relying solely on physical visits to district offices.
He noted that subscribers can conveniently renew their cards by dialling *929# on their mobile phones, adding that applicants should ensure they have sufficient funds in their mobile money wallets to complete the transaction successfully.
The Regional Director emphasized that embracing digital renewal services would help reduce congestion at NHIS offices, minimize delays associated with poor network coverage in some locations, and improve access to healthcare services for residents across the region.
Source: Newspyramid.com
