34TH  ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH SERVICE ADMINISTRATORS, GHANA (AHSAG)

The annual conference of AHSAG is a major forum with education-oriented workshop aimed at enhancing the knowledge of Health Service Administrators on topical issues in the health sector. The conference also offers a unique opportunity for young and senior Health Services Administrators from all over the country to meet together to interact and share information and ideas on ways of improving health service administration and management in Ghana.

The 34th Annual Conference of AHSAG will be held as follows:

DATE            :  3RD– 5TH NOVEMBER, 2010

REPORTING:  WEDNESDAY, 3RD NOVEMBER, 2010; 4PM
 
VENUE         :  AKROMA PLAZA HOTEL, TAKORADI, WESTERN REGION

THEME      :  SUSTAINING THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE - THE ROLE OF HEALTH   
                        SERVICE ADMINISTRATORS

Over 200 Health Services Administrators from all over the country are expected to meet at the conference. The three-day event will involve: opening ceremony, training workshop, business session, election of new executive and dinner dance

WHY THE THEME?

The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced in Ghana in 2003 with the enactment of Act 650. Significant achievements have been made since the introduction of the scheme in terms of subscriber enrolment, establishment and operation of district schemes and patient attendance at the various health facilities.

However, the scheme has been facing several challenges including delayed reimbursement of claims, fraudulent practices, and poor quality of services, delay in processing and submission of claims, inadequate health professionals and lack of essential medical supplies. These have serious implications for the sustainability of the scheme.

Health Services Administrators play a key role in the implementation of the policy at the facility level. Together with other managers have responsibility for the efficient management of the health institution.

A clearer understanding of the policy and the efficient discharge of their responsibilities will in no doubt improve the implementation of the scheme. As part of its continuing education programme, a 3-day annual conference is being held to discuss the policy and other topical issues in the health sector.

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

     To further improve the understanding of health services administrators of the National Health Insurance Scheme
       To discuss with other stakeholders the challenges  in the implementation of the policy
     To build capacity of health services administrators in addressing the bottlenecks in the implementation of the scheme
     To share experiences, best practices and innovations and develop benchmarks in the implementation of the policy

SUB THEMES/TOPICS

Key topics to be discussed include:

     The National Health Insurance Policy: the journey so far and some thoughts on sustaining the policy
     An overview of the accreditation process, clinical audits, quality and ethical Issues
     Best practices and innovations in the implementation of the scheme
     Perspectives on the scheme by a media practitioner

RESOURCE PERSONS

     Mr. Sylvester Mensah, CEO NHIA
     Dr. Nicholas Tweneboah, Director of Operations NHIA
     Mr. Philip Akanzinge, NHIS Coordinator, GHS
     Ms. Lucy Adoma, Media Practitioner, Daily Graphic

GUESTS

     Honourable Minister of Health
     Honourable Regional Minister
     Director-General, Ghana Health Service
     Regional Director of Health Service, Western Region
     Nana Kofi Abuna V – Chief of Essipon
     Press

CONFERENCE FEE

The conference fee for this year is Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GHc500.00). Participants are to pay into AHSAG Account No. 1051130001727, Ghana Commercial Bank, Ministries Branch, Accra.

Allocation of rooms will be made strictly upon full payment.


SOUVENIRS
Souvenirs for the Conference will include AHSAG 2011 Calendars, AHSAG Journal (The Health Services Manager), AHSAG 2009 Proceedings Report (Published), ‘T’ Shirts and AHSAG Car Stickers. Members will be required to make a contribution of only Forty Ghana Cedis (GHc40.00) towards the cost of the Souvenirs.

PARTICIPATION OF RETIRED MEMBERS
Retired members are exempted from the payment of the Conference Fee. We will also appreciate it if Deputy Directors (Admin) could make transport available for their conveyance to and from the Conference at their respective regions.

REGISTRATION FOR THE CONFERENCE
Participants are required to register on line.