Assan Njie who spoke on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, saidthe universal health coverage global agenda aims to ensure every individual within the country has access tohealth services regardless of their social and/or economic status.
The Gambia National Health Insurance Act which was enacted into law in 2021 represents a significant strive toward the goal of universal health coverage and aims to ensure all Gambians and non Gambians residing in the country are provided affordable health care services.
Njie added that effective communication is one of the links that allow them to build trust and engage all stakeholders at national and sub-regional levels to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health care.
He said the success of the National Health Insurance Scheme willnot only be possible on the effective implementation of the Act but also on the ability to communicate the essence and benefit of the scheme to the Gambian population with the hope that Gambianswill understand the transformational goals that the Ministry of Health aspire to achieve.
Dr Mustapha Bittaye, the Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health and Board Member of National Health Insurance Authority,said the validation aims to ensure every Gambian has access to quality health care service delivery without economic difficulties.
Dr Samuel, a representative of the World Bank thanked the Ministry of Health and NHIA for the preparatory work done so far.
He elaborated that the mass registration for the National Health Insurance Scheme across the country has recorded half of the population into the system.
He therefore urged those who have not yet registered for the Electronic Birth Certificate and National Health Insurance Scheme to do so before the launch of the Insurance Scheme in September.
