Jamaica Comes To Ghana: Delegation Studies NHIS Model As NHIA Eyes Nurse Export Deal
Jamaica is looking to Ghana for answers on universal healthcare. A delegation from Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness, led by Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton, visited the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, in Accra on Friday, May 30, 2026.
The trip doubles as a knowledge exchange and a labor deal. Jamaica wants to understand how Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, works as it plans to upgrade its own National Health Fund, NHF, into full health insurance. At the same time, both countries signed an MoU to recruit Ghanaian doctors and nur
ses for Jamaica’s health sector.
Dr. Tufton said Jamaica’s NHF currently covers free or subsidized drugs for about 28 conditions through public hospitals and accredited pharmacies. But the goal is a complete insurance scheme.
“With that context, we are interested in how Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme operates and what lessons we can take,” he told NHIA officials.
He added that Jamaica runs both public and private health systems, but private insurance coverage is low. Most citizens depend on free public care. Tech and virtual platforms will drive future collaboration between both countries.
Ghana is exporting more than ideas. The MoU covers recruitment and deplo
yment of Ghanaian health professionals to Jamaica, plus joint training and health system strengthening.
NHIA Deputy CEO, Admin & HR, Raphael Segbefia, who welcomed the team on behalf of CEO Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, took them through Ghana’s healthcare journey. He said NHIS replaced “cash and carry” in 2003. The scheme started with curative care but has shifted toward prevention.
That shift is why Ghana recently launched “Free Primary Healthcare” to catch diseases early. Segbefia said early treatment cuts long-term costs and reduces disease burden.
On sustainability, he pointed to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, “MahamaCare”, created to handle rising non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes. The fund eases pressure on the NHIS purse and keeps the scheme viable.
NHIA’s Director of Strategic Health Purchasing, Dr. Ruby Amenu, and other directors briefed the Jamaicans on NHIS structure, funding, digital innovations, and operations. Those systems have made NHIS one of Africa’s most studied public insurance models.
Dr. Tufton also recalled Ghana’s support to Jamaica after last year’s hurricane, when Ghana sent army engineers for recovery work. He said ties between both countries keep growing, and health is the next frontier.
For Ghana, the deal means foreign exchange from health worker remittances and global recognition for NHIS. For Jamaica, it’s a shortcut to designing a sustainable insurance model.
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