In a significant move to improve mental health care access across the country, the government has announced the inclusion of four mental health disorders into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) benefits package, effective 1 November 2024.
The disorders added are depression, bipolar, anxiety, and schizophrenia disorder.
This expansion will allow NHIS subscribers to receive coverage for outpatient services and the initial acute hospitalisation stages of these mental health conditions at any NHIS-accredited facility.
“This bold initiative ensures that mental health services, which are critical to the well-being of our population, are readily accessible to every Ghanaian. It removes financial and geographical barriers, allowing more people to seek the care they need,” Dr Da-Costa Aboagye, the CEO of the NHIA said in a statement on Monday (14 October).
The inclusion of these conditions is seen as a step towards addressing the critical mental health care gaps in the country, which has only a few specialised mental health hospitals, including the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, and the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital. While these specialised hospitals will continue to offer free care, the expanded coverage will enable patients to seek help at NHIS-accredited general hospitals, many of which now have psychiatric units.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) acknowledged the stigma surrounding mental illness, which has been a significant barrier for many individuals seeking help.
“The stigma associated with mental illness often deters individuals from seeking treatment,” the NHIA statement noted.
“By integrating mental health services into the NHIS, we are mainstreaming these essential services within the broader healthcare system, ensuring that more people can access treatment without fear of judgement or financial constraints.”
The expansion to cover mental health services is part of a larger national strategy to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The NHIA emphasised that early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing severe mental health conditions.
“Mental health isn’t just about severe conditions like schizophrenia or madness. It also includes mild to moderate psychological disorders like stress, anxiety, and depression, which can escalate if left untreated. This initiative encourages early diagnosis and treatment,” the NHIA said.
This development follows a series of recent enhancements to the NHIS benefits package aimed at broadening access to quality healthcare.
Over the past year, the scheme has added family planning services, coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of four childhood cancers, and provisions for dialysis. Additionally, Ghanaians aged 18 and above now have access to free annual health screenings.
The NHIA has reiterated its commitment to continually improving the scheme to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the population.
“Our goal is to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their economic status or where they live, and we are on track to achieve this agenda,” the authority said.
 benefits package, effective 1 November 2024.){kind=link}