The Adoption of Information and Communications Technology in the Administration of Health Insurance Schemes in Ghana

This study evaluated the level of information and communications technologies (ICTs) adoption in the administration of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana within the context of the Activity Theory. The study used the mixed methods which involved the survey of 104 staff using questionnaires and an interview with the Regional ICT Coordinator of the NHIS in Accra. The study revealed that the NHIS’ in the Region did not have an ICT policy of their own derived from the national ICT policy. Also, the level of adoption in ICTs was not satisfactory as essential processes in the schemes administration were still being done manually. ICT usage in the schemes was not adequate and effective. The majority of the staff had basic-intermediate ICT skills; and trainings in ICTs for staff were not adequate. The study concluded that even though ICTs hold great potential for health insurance scheme administration, these benefits for now remains an illusion in Ghana’s NHIS setup. A policy driven and training led strategies were recommended.