- Advertisement -
Report by Edward FRIMPONG
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has organised a capacity-building training for its Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) officers in the southern belt of the country.
It was organized in collaboration with USAID and was focused on enhancing their skills in Post Clinical and Compliance Audit Monitoring,
The event, which was held at the Angie Hill Hotel in East Legon Accra, was attended by officers from the Greater Accra, Central, Western, Eastern, Volta, and Oti regions.
The initiative emphasizes the Authority’s commitment to enhancing healthcare quality through improved oversight duties.
Participants were encouraged to engage fully, as the training covered essential topics like audit methodologies and fraud detection, which are essential for improving operations and accountability within the NHIA.
Opening the training, Mr. William Omane-Adjekum, Deputy Director of Quality Assurance (QA), addressed the participants about the findings from several nationwide clinical audits.
He highlighted the critical gaps in reporting and communication between the QA directorate and the M&E units in regional and district offices.
“This training was initiated to address these gaps, ultimately aiming to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations across the NHIA.
“The goal of this training is to empower M&E staff to facilitate better collaboration and follow-up during their monitoring activities,” he said.
He emphasized that while the regional offices would not conduct clinical audits, their role in supporting and ensuring compliance during regional monitoring activities was vital.
Mr. Oswald Essuah-Mensah, the Director for Corporate Affairs, acknowledged the tireless efforts of M&E staff over the years, noting their significant contributions to enhancing accountability, transparency and sustainability within the NHIA.
He reflected on the millions of Ghanaians who have benefited from free, quality healthcare over the past two decades, attributing much of this success to the dedication of the NHIA staff, including M&E personnel.
He stressed the importance of the training, urging participants to engage deeply with the facilitators to explore strategies that would bolster collaborative efforts and improve the overall systems within the Authority.
Welcoming attendees to the session, Acting Regional Director Madam Patience Danquah expressed enthusiasm for the timely initiative.
She described the training as a crucial opportunity for M&E officers to enhance their skills, particularly for periodic monitoring of credentialed facilities. She encouraged participants to apply themselves to the training, underscoring its importance for their professional development and the overall effectiveness of their work.
Throughout the session, participants were guided through various topics essential for their roles. They received training on audit methodology, interviews, fraud detection, observational skills, engaging with Scheme members, facility management approaches, and effective report writing.
The facilitators, Pharm Eugene Segbefia and Mr. Eugene Kofie from the QA Directorate, delivered insights into the Clinical and Compliance Audit Process and Post-Audit Monitoring, respectively. The emphasis was placed on professionalism, knowledge acquisition, and teamwork to ensure that M&E officers could identify and report factual issues accurately.
This training forms part of a broader agreement between USAID and NHIA aimed at strengthening health systems and enhancing service delivery within the NHIA.
Participants were left with renewed motivation and a clearer understanding of their roles in ensuring quality healthcare delivery through diligent monitoring and evaluation practices.
The training not only equipped them with essential skills but also reinforced the collaborative spirit necessary for achieving the NHIA’s objectives in improving health outcomes across the country.
- Advertisement -
