{
  "id": 12888481,
  "title": "𝗡𝗛𝗜𝗦 a𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 m𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 r𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝟳𝟬% – 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/nhis-active-membership-rises-to-70-health-minister",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-08T14:43:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general-news/%f0%9d%97%a1%f0%9d%97%9b%f0%9d%97%9c%f0%9d%97%a6-a%f0%9d%97%b0%f0%9d%98%81%f0%9d%97%b6%f0%9d%98%83%f0%9d%97%b2-m%f0%9d%97%b2%f0%9d%97%ba%f0%9d%97%af%f0%9d%97%b2%f0%9d%97%bf%f0%9d%98%80%f0%9d%97%b5/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana's Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh revealed that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) active membership has surged to 70% as of August 2026, up from 56.3% in 2024. This significant increase is part of the government's ongoing commitment to enhance healthcare access. The minister credited measures aimed at bolstering the NHIS's financial stability, such as removing the cap on the National Health Insurance Levy, which has provided the scheme with additional resources to fulfill its obligations to medical practitioners.\n\nDuring a media engagement hosted by the Ministry of Health, Akandoh highlighted that the government has augmented funding for the NHIS from approximately GH¢6.5 billion in 2024 to GH¢9.8 billion in 2025, resulting in an average 50% rise in payments to healthcare providers. He reported that a total of GH¢2.1 billion had been disbursed in NHIS claims between January and September 2026, contributing to bolstered healthcare providers' capacity to serve beneficiaries and diminishing delays in claims payments.\n\nAdditionally, the Minister announced that the Free Primary Healthcare initiative is now operational in 135 districts, with plans to extend the program nationwide as part of efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage. He also emphasized the government's focus on completing 35 Agenda 111 hospital projects, alongside the development of three regional hospitals and the procurement of 24,534 pieces of medical equipment to upgrade health facilities.\n\nAkandoh proudly disclosed that 220 ambulances have been insured and are currently in service, with a plan to acquire an additional 100 ambulances in 2027 to fortify emergency medical services across the nation. He underscored that the health sector is progressing through six post-basic specialist nursing programs enrolling over 600 students, along with an electronic bed management system designed to enhance hospital bed coordination and utilization. These initiatives, he noted, are integral to the government's overarching strategy to strengthen Ghana's health system, elevate healthcare access, and bring the country closer to realizing Universal Health Coverage.",
  "summary": "Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that active membership under Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has increased from 56.3% in 2024 to 70% as of August 2026, describing the growth as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen access to healthcare. Mr Akandoh attributed the increase to measures to improve the financial position of […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghana's NHIS active membership reaches 70%, up from 56.3% in 2024",
    "Government increased NHIS funding from GH¢6.5 billion to GH¢9.8 billion in 2025",
    "Free Primary Healthcare initiative operational in 135 districts nationwide"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}