4 Mental health diseases placed on NHIS benefits package

The government has expanded the benefit package of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to include four mental health conditions.

These are Depression Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder and Schizophrenia Disorder.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Da-Costa Aboagye, who briefed the Daily Graphic after issuing a statement, said the implementation of the “significant addition” would take effect from November 1, this year.

He said it would cover outpatient services and the initial acute hospitalisation stage.

“By this initiative, NHIS subscribers can access these essential services from any NHIS-accredited facility”.

“However, these services remain free of charge at the country’s specialised mental health care hospitals,” he said.

Improving access

Dr Aboagye added that the measure was also to improve access to mental health care, given that the country had only a few specialised mental health hospitals, primarily the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, and the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital, saying some general hospitals also had 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,” the NHIA CEO stated, stressing that it removed financial and geographical barriers, allowing more people to seek the care they needed.

Dr Aboagye explained that the measure was also part of a broader national strategy to address mental healthcare gaps and accelerate the delivery of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Mental Health coverage under NHIS also encouraged early diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues, which could prevent more severe conditions, he added.

Context

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.

The NHIA notes 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.

Mainstreaming mental health services

Dr Aboagye stated that the inclusion of the service in the NHIS benefit package was a bold step to mainstream such services within the general healthcare system.

“By integrating mental health care 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 said.

The CEO said the NHIA was committed to continually improve the NHIS to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the population. 

Background

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 per cent of all childhood cancers. Provision has also been made for dialysis under the scheme.