The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced free registration under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for people affected by the recent floods in Accra, as health authorities intensify efforts to prevent outbreaks of diarrhoea and cholera in the wake of the disaster.
The initiative, announced on Wednesday, July 1, is expected to benefit flood victims and their dependants by ensuring they can access healthcare without financial barriers as emergency response efforts continue across flood-hit communities.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, the intervention is part of urgent measures to safeguard public health following the flooding, which has disrupted sanitation systems, contaminated water sources, and heightened the risk of waterborne diseases.
“No Ghanaian should be denied access to quality healthcare because of a natural disaster. With an imminent outbreak of diarrhoea and cholera following the floods, this free registration will ensure that victims and their families can seek timely treatment without financial burden,” Dr. Bampoe said.
The Authority said the exercise will provide free NHIS registration for affected residents, enabling them to receive prompt medical attention as health officials work to contain potential disease outbreaks in flood-affected areas.
Health experts have warned that stagnant floodwaters, contaminated drinking water and poor sanitation conditions significantly increase the risk of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid fever and malaria. Residents have therefore been urged to observe good hygiene practices, consume only safe drinking water and seek immediate medical care if they develop symptoms of waterborne illnesses.
The announcement comes as emergency agencies continue relief operations in parts of the Greater Accra Region, where homes, businesses and public infrastructure were severely affected by Monday’s torrential rains. The free NHIS registration is expected to complement ongoing humanitarian interventions aimed at easing the burden on flood victims while protecting public health.
