Mr. Isaac Gideon Akonde, the Claims Processing Centre Director of the Northern Regional NHIA, provided the figure and stated that achieving such numbers within a year demonstrated public interest in the application and services under the Scheme.

He spoke after a float undertaken by the NHIS as part of activities to mark its 20th-anniversary celebration.

The float primarily engaged residents of Tamale on the processes involved in downloading and using the “MYNHIS” application, available on Google and Apple play stores.

Mr. Akonde mentioned that the application was introduced to bring the NHIS closer to subscribers, providing all necessary information on the scheme at their fingertips.

He said the application outlined the services and drugs covered by the scheme, adding that its usage could prevent clients from being cheated at healthcare facilities.

“People are disadvantaged at hospitals because they do not know what they are entitled to; however, this app has drug and service lists to prevent such cases,” he said.

He indicated that the application featured a comprehensive list of healthcare centres with proximity indicators, empowering users to conveniently select options based on their proximity, as well as a module to communicate with staff of the NHIA.

The number of downloads was expected to increase, given the depth of sensitization extended to the public about the application, he said.