Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye
The government has expanded the benefit package of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to include four mental health conditions, effective November 1, 2024.
These are Depression Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder and Schizophrenia Disorder.
In a press release signed by Chief Executive Officer, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye indicated that the coverage includes outpatient services and the initial acute hospitalisation stage.
“By this initiative, NHIS subscribers can access these essential services from any NHIS-accredited facility,” he said. “However, these services remain free of charge at the country’s specialised mental healthcare hospitals.”
He indicated that the addition is to improve access to mental healthcare given that the country has only a few specialised mental health hospitals, primarily the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, and the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital.
“Some general hospitals have psychiatric units…This bold initiative ensures that mental health services, which are critical to the well-being of our population, are readily accessible to every Ghanaian,” he said.
Dr. Aboagye said the inclusion removes financial and geographical barriers, allowing more people to seek the care they need.
“It is part of a broader national strategy aimed at addressing mental healthcare gaps and accelerating the delivery of Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” he said.
Mental health coverage under NHIS encourages early diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues, which can prevent more severe conditions.
Mental health is not solely about severe conditions such as madness; it also encompasses mild to moderate psychological disorders such as fear, stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and various sleep disorders that can escalate into serious mental illness if early care is not provided.
Stigma
The Authority said it has noted that the stigma surrounding mental illness often deters individuals from seeking help.
“Many with conditions that could lead to serious mental health issues may hesitate to visit specialised hospitals, where care is free, or may find it unaffordable at private facilities, resulting in inadequate care and widening the access gap—an outcome contrary to the principles of UHC,” he said in the release.
“Hence, the inclusion of this service in the NHIS benefit package will ensure that such services are mainstreamed within the general healthcare system.
“By integrating mental healthcare into the NHIS, the government hopes to provide a lifeline for individuals suffering from these conditions, enabling them to access necessary treatments without barriers,” he added.
The NHIA thus expressed its commitment to continually improving the NHIS to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the population.
Over the past year, the NHIS has added several important services to its benefits package, aligning with the government’s vision for a comprehensive healthcare system that leaves no one behind.
Notable additions include family planning services, which are crucial for promoting reproductive health and reducing maternal mortality rates, as well as coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of four childhood cancers—Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Burkitt Lymphoma, Retinoblastoma, and Wilms Tumour, which account for about 60 percent of all childhood cancers.
Provision has also been made for dialysis under the scheme.
The NHIA emphasises the importance of prevention as a cornerstone of healthcare and better health outcomes, informing the addition of free annual health screenings for all Ghanaians aged 18 and above.
“Our goal is to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their economic status or where they live, and we are on track to achieve this agenda,” he added.
A Daily Guide Report