The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced free National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration for persons affected by the recent floods in Accra as part of efforts to protect public health amid rising cases of diarrhoea and cholera.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, July 1, the NHIA said the initiative will benefit all flood victims, including their dependants, to ensure they have access to healthcare without financial constraints.

The Authority said the decision was announced by its Chief Executive, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, as an urgent intervention to safeguard the health of residents in communities affected by the devastating floods.

According to the NHIA, the flooding has disrupted sanitation systems, contaminated water sources and heightened the risk of outbreaks of diarrhoea, cholera and other waterborne diseases.

The Authority stressed that the free registration exercise is intended to ensure that victims and their families can seek prompt medical attention as health officials monitor the post-flood disease situation.

“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 stated.

The NHIA urged flood victims to take advantage of the initiative while continuing to observe public health and sanitation measures to reduce the spread of waterborne diseases.

The announcement comes in the wake of the June 29 floods that affected thousands of residents across the Greater Accra Region, causing loss of lives, displacement and widespread destruction of homes and property.

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