The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has assured healthcare providers that payment of medical claims will now be prompt and seamless, without unnecessary delays.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Authority, Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, announced that sufficient funds were available to enable the NHIA to settle claims between 21 and 30 days upon receipt.

He gave the assurance during a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, at his office in Ho on Tuesday, June 17, as part of his two-day working visit to the Volta Region.

The visit was intended to allow Dr Bampoe to familiarise himself with and understand the challenges facing the NHIA in the region.

According to the CEO, with a staff strength of approximately 5,000, the NHIA is a critical player in the national resetting agenda and is determined to resolve operational difficulties at the municipal and district levels without delay.

In line with this commitment, Dr Bampoe said the NHIA was also taking steps to ensure a conducive working environment for its staff across the country.

For his part, the Volta Regional Minister reaffirmed the Regional Coordinating Council’s (VRCC) commitment to the holistic development of the region, which he said depended significantly on the health of its population.

“Health insurance will play a key role in the realisation of that objective,” Mr Gunu stated.

He pledged the VRCC’s support in assisting the NHIA to secure decent office accommodation in all municipalities and districts and to build the capacity of its personnel.

The Minister also lauded Dr Bampoe’s leadership, describing him as a dedicated public servant and the right choice by the President to drive the resetting agenda in the health sector.

The Volta Regional Coordinating Director, Mr Augustus Awity, noted that universal health coverage was integral to the resetting agenda. He expressed satisfaction that long-standing delays in the payment of claims had now been resolved.

Dr Bampoe, who was accompanied by other officials from the NHIA’s head office and the Volta Regional office, later departed for the Oti Region to undertake a similar tour.