By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Sagnarigu District Office of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the Northern Region has successfully piloted a 24-hour registration exercise at Jirsonaayilli, one of its communities.
The initiative, launched under the guidance of the Acting Regional Director, Mr. Alhassan Abdulai, is part of innovative strategies to expand access to health insurance services and ensure that more people particularly those engaged in farming and economic activities, can conveniently enrol or renew their membership.
The pilot exercise, which began on Thursday, August 14, 2025, ran from 4:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. It attracted a large turnout of residents, including adults and children.
By the close of the day, 35 new members were registered, while 485 others successfully renewed their NHIS cards, a significant achievement within just five hours.
Officials say the Sagnarigu District’s 24-hour registration exercise is expected to serve as a model for the Northern Region and beyond, as the Authority continues to roll out innovative strategies aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
The Acting District Manager, Mr. Abdallah Shaibu, expressed optimism about the potential impact of the initiative.
“Many community members are unable to visit our offices during regular working hours due to farming, trading, and other economic activities. This extended-hour initiative gives them the opportunity to register at their convenience, and we believe it will go a long way to boost membership and renewals in the district,” he explained.
He added that the pilot provided valuable lessons that would guide the district and the Northern Region in rolling out similar exercises more broadly in the coming months.
During the exercise, the Public Relations Unit and other NHIA staff also took advantage of the gathering to educate and sensitise residents on the NHIS benefit package, members’ rights and responsibilities, and the importance of maintaining active membership.
The pilot’s success has been hailed as a major step forward in strengthening healthcare access and advancing Ghana’s commitment to UHC by 2030.
