UE/R: Bolgatanga NHIA Targets 80% Universal Health Coverage Through Market Registration Exercise

The Bolgatanga Municipal Directorate of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has intensified efforts to increase active membership onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) through a massive registration exercise at markets and lorry stations across the municipality.

The exercise, which took place on Friday, May 22, 2026, forms part of the Authority’s nationwide campaign aimed at expanding healthcare access and achieving universal health coverage in Ghana.

Officials of the NHIA stormed major trading centres and transport terminals, including the Bolgatanga Central Market and the New Market area, where hundreds of traders, commercial drivers, head porters, and residents were registered and educated on the benefits of the NHIS.

The exercise was led by the Bolgatanga Municipal NHIA Manager, Mr. Roland Ayine, together with Madam Bandina Martin Awrah Norma, Deputy Director for Membership and Regional Operations Manager at the NHIA.

Speaking to the media during the outreach exercise, Mr. Roland Ayine said the Authority was targeting at least 8,500 new registrations and renewals within the municipality as part of efforts to increase active membership coverage.

According to him, the registration drive is focused largely on busy commercial centres where many residents often find it difficult to visit NHIA offices due to their daily economic activities.

“The areas we are covering include the entire market space and the New Market area. We are targeting about 8,500 residents to register onto the scheme during this exercise,” he stated.

Mr. Ayine disclosed that the Bolgatanga Municipality currently has an estimated population of 201,764 people, but active NHIS membership currently stands at 125,116, representing about 62 percent population coverage.

He explained that although the municipality has made significant progress in NHIS enrollment, more work still needs to be done to meet the national target for universal health coverage.

“As we speak today, we have 125,116 active members, representing 62 percent of the population. This means that in terms of universal health coverage, we have achieved 62 percent coverage so far,” he said.

“Mind you, we need at least 80 percent coverage to fully achieve universal health coverage, and we are still in May. This means we still have the opportunity to work harder and reach the target before the end of the year,” he added.

Mr. Ayine emphasized that the NHIA remains committed to ensuring that every resident within the municipality has access to quality and affordable healthcare through active NHIS membership.

He noted that the market outreach initiative is also in line with government’s primary healthcare policy aimed at strengthening preventive healthcare delivery and improving healthcare access for ordinary Ghanaians.

The Municipal Manager further encouraged residents whose NHIS cards had expired, as well as those who had lost their cards, to take advantage of the ongoing free registration and replacement exercise.

According to him, the Authority has removed several barriers that previously discouraged people from enrolling onto the scheme.

“We are making registration very easy and accessible. New registrations are free, replacement of lost cards is free, and expired cards are also being renewed during this exercise. We do not want anyone to be denied healthcare because they do not have an active NHIS card,” he stressed.

Madam Bandina Martin Awrah Norma also reiterated the importance of the exercise, explaining that active NHIS membership remains critical under Ghana’s primary healthcare system, especially when patients require referral services beyond basic healthcare facilities.

She urged residents to embrace the initiative and ensure continuous renewal of their NHIS cards to avoid difficulties when seeking medical attention.

Many traders and drivers who benefited from the exercise commended the NHIA for bringing the services directly to their doorsteps, describing the initiative as timely, convenient, and beneficial to low-income earners who may not have the time to visit NHIA offices.

The ongoing outreach campaign by the NHIA is expected to continue in other parts of the municipality as authorities intensify efforts to improve active membership coverage and move closer to achieving universal health coverage in Ghana.

Source: BlueWaves Radio 93.7FM / Maurice Duncan | Bolgatanga