PharmAccess is a group of non-profit organizations dedicated to improving access to quality healthcare in Africa. PharmAccess mobilizes public and private resources for the benefit of doctors and patients through clinical standards and quality improvements, loans for healthcare providers, health insurance, mHealth innovations and operational research.
This integrated approach is made possible by the following organizations:
On November 18th, The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in partnership with PharmAccess Ghana organized a public forum on data analytics. The ‘NHIA Data Day’ aimed at strengthening the NHIA’s capacity and to stimulate its ambition as a data-driven health insurer. PharmAccess Ghana also used the event to mark its 20-year anniversary.
On November 18th, The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in partnership with PharmAccess Ghana organized a public forum on data analytics. The ‘NHIA Data Day’ aimed at strengthening the NHIA’s capacity and to stimulate its ambition as a data-driven health insurer. PharmAccess Ghana also used the event to mark its 20-year anniversary.
The NHIS Data Day has been the first event where membership and claim data analysis were shared among the key health stakeholders and the public. Through sharing, the NHIA emphasized its wish to be a transparent and accountable health insurer. PharmAccess assists the NHIA with data analytics around its claims data, which insights serve as tools to improve the institution’s efficiency. Data analysis of membership and claim data also provide insights into enrollment and coverage of different segments of population, including women and pregnant teenagers and the lowest income groups. This is key to review whether all groups receive equitable access to health.
PharmAccess 20 years and looking ahead
In the light of the PharmAccess anniversary, Dr. Maxwell Antwi, Country Director of PharmAccess Ghana, took the opportunity to thank its partners. Partnerships enable the organization to significantly scale its impact on improving access to quality care in the country, he said, and the partnership with the NHIA is among the most valued ones. Kwasi Boahene, PharmAccess Director Advocacy and Partnerships encouraged all participants to look forward and set ambitious goals for 2022 to further improve efficiency in health financing and delivery. PharmAccess Ghana expressed its wish to strengthen its partnership with the NHIA and conduct new cycles of data analytics. The organization will also help to reach the goals set by Dr. Lydia Dsane-Selby, Chief Executive of NHIA, including reaching financial sustainability of the NHIA, smooth digital claim processing and 80% population coverage for health insurance in 2022.
Next to the presentation on NHIA data analytics by Dr. Maxwell Antwi and Dr. Yaw Opoku-Boateng, Deputy Director of the NHIA Claims Processing Centre in Accra, also other key notes during the Data Day touched upon the NHIA efficiency and effectivity journey. The NHIA Deputy Director, Actuarial, Mr. Magnus Owusu-Agyemang’s presentation highlighted the authority’s modeling, predictions, and insights on what the insurance package can and should cover in the future. The NHIA Board Chair, Dr. Ernest K. P Kwarko declared ‘zero tolerance’ for patient fees charged by some health service providers, for services covered by the scheme. The presentation by NHIA Chief Executive Dr. Lydia Dsane-Selby focused on the evolution of NHIS for universal health care (UHC) in Ghana and emphasized that UHC by 2030 is achievable.
The NHIA transition towards a paperless system is on track and in line with Ghana’s national digitization drive. Dr Antwi said the full digitalization of the NHIS would allow for continual data analytics as part of the daily decision-making. Dr. Antwi: ‘’Ongoing digitalization and the introduction of new innovations are already breaking down boundaries. When data is used for the public good, it can create strong healthcare systems that are truly inclusive’’.
