NHIA to be a model in Africa

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is geared towards the building of a scheme that will stand out as a model in Africa and beyond, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the authority said on Thursday.

Mr. Sylvester Mensah said the objective could be achieved through the provision of affordable, accessible and quality health care services, with highly enthusiastic professionals who value their clients.

Mr. Mensah said this in an address read on his behalf, at a two-day Strategic Management Seminar for staff of NHIA in the Brong Ahafo Region, on the theme: "Delivering the NHIS Promise."

He said the goal called for strategic thinking, benchmarking of the best practices, team work and excellent working relations and efficient use of resources.

The programme, which was organised by NHIA in collaboration with IBS Consulting Alliance, business strategy consultants in Accra, attracted 105 participants.

Mr. Mensah noted that successful organisations did not emerge by chance, faith or co-incidence, but on the basis of sufficient thinking, strategic formulation, diligent implementation and dispassionate measurement of outcome.

He said performance management would therefore be a vital part of staff appraisal and reward system.

Mr. Mensah said every scheme manager would be required to sign performance contract with the authority, which would outline his or her immediate targets by December 2009 and December 2010.

Mr. Foster Agyei-Korang, Regional Manager of the scheme, commended the staff for their performance that had streamlined the health insurance system in the region.

He expressed the hope that the seminar would enable them to identify their successes and failures to chart a new course for effective and efficient performance for the growth and sustainability of the scheme.