In a significant move to bolster Ghana’s healthcare system, Roche Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its partnership with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
A high-powered delegation from Roche Ghana paid a courtesy call on the NHIA Head Office in Accra.
The visit served a dual purpose: to congratulate Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe on his appointment as Chief Executive of the NHIA and to explore expanded collaboration in critical areas such as diagnostics, treatment access, and healthcare system strengthening.
The meeting, held in an atmosphere of optimism and mutual purpose, signals a renewed era of cooperation between public institutions and private sector stakeholders in Ghana’s health sector.
Welcoming the Roche Ghana delegation, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe expressed his gratitude and optimism about the future of healthcare delivery under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). He underscored that the recent uncapping of NHIS funding was a major game-changer.
“We are happy to have you here. The funding of the NHIS has now been uncapped, and resources are coming directly to the Authority. Hopefully, this will enable us to pay health providers on time. A healthy population is indeed a more productive population.”
Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA
This financial restructuring, Dr. Bampoe noted, positions the NHIA to better serve health providers and, by extension, millions of Ghanaians who depend on the Scheme for access to healthcare services.
It also offers fertile ground for partnerships like the one envisioned with Roche Ghana, aiming to make healthcare delivery more sustainable and effective.
Roche Ghana’s Impactful Contributions to Ghana’s Healthcare Sector
Delivering a detailed presentation, Henry Acheampong of Roche Ghana highlighted the multinational pharmaceutical company’s wide-ranging contributions to Ghana’s health landscape.
Mr Acheampong emphasized Roche’s instrumental role in establishing cancer treatment centres at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, and Ho Teaching Hospital—milestones achieved in partnership with the government of Ghana.
Beyond infrastructure, Roche Ghana has also been active in addressing diagnostic gaps, donating critical medical equipment to health facilities across the country.
Mr. Acheampong stressed that Roche’s vision extends beyond supplying equipment, focusing also on sustained capacity building, strengthening health systems, supporting advocacy and awareness campaigns, and ensuring that patients can access quality treatment using their NHIS cards.
“We aim to shift the narrative. We are working towards ensuring that at least 80 percent of patients receive standard-of-care treatment promptly.”
Henry Acheampong of Roche Ghana
This patient-centered approach aligns with Ghana’s broader healthcare goals of universal health coverage, equitable access, and improved outcomes. Roche’s commitment to working within the NHIS framework also supports the government’s broader social protection agenda.
Addressing Renal Anaemia and Diagnostic Challenges
In addition to cancer treatment support, Mr. Acheampong noted that Roche Ghana is making significant strides in the management of renal diseases.
He disclosed that the company was committed to ensuring a steady supply of erythropoietin, a life-saving drug crucial in managing renal anaemia.
This support is particularly important as NHIA prepares to expand dialysis services under the NHIS.
By providing a stable supply of erythropoietin, Roche Ghana is helping to bridge a critical treatment gap for renal patients, who often struggle with the high cost and limited availability of specialised care in Ghana.
NHIA’s New Vision: From Curative to Preventive Healthcare
Highlighting NHIA’s evolving strategic focus, Dr. Senanu Djokoto, Deputy Chief Executive for Operations at the NHIA, emphasized the Authority’s commitment to preventive healthcare.
“Historically, NHIS has been mostly curative-focused. Now, with initiatives like Free Primary Healthcare, we are dramatically shifting towards preventive and promotive healthcare actions. The work Roche is doing, and plans to do, will make a real difference.”
Dr. Senanu Djokoto, Deputy Chief Executive for Operations at the NHIA
This strategic reorientation is critical for tackling the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Ghana, including cancers, diabetes, and kidney disease.
Preventive healthcare approaches will not only improve health outcomes but also ensure long-term sustainability of the NHIS by reducing the financial burden of treating advanced-stage diseases.
Dr. Mrs. Ruby Aileen Mensah Annan, Director for Strategic Health Purchasing at NHIA, also praised Roche for their proactive and reliable support.
“The dependability of the Roche team has been commendable. It’s exciting that they are introducing new areas of support,” she stated, reinforcing the Authority’s enthusiasm for the partnership.
In concluding remarks, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe reiterated the NHIA’s dedication to improving the National Health Insurance Scheme through innovations such as the Free Primary Healthcare initiative and the Mahama Care initiative, aimed at making healthcare even more accessible and affordable.
“We should continue this discussion; this meeting will not go to waste”, he urged. Roche Ghana’s courtesy call is evidence of the growing significance of public-private partnerships in Ghana’s healthcare system.
These kinds of partnerships are essential to improving healthcare delivery systems so they are more effective, accessible, and sensitive to the needs of all Ghanaians.
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