Pensioners across Ghana are set to benefit from improved access to healthcare following the launch of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust’s (SSNIT) Telehealth Service.
The initiative, unveiled in Accra on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, enables pensioners to consult qualified medical practitioners remotely from the comfort of their homes.
Implemented in partnership with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and The Trust Hospital, the service allows eligible pensioners to receive medical consultations, prescriptions, and laboratory referrals through a structured telephone-based system.
The telehealth platform forms part of SSNIT’s broader efforts to enhance the welfare of pensioners by leveraging digital technology to improve access to essential healthcare services. Following a successful one-month pilot phase, the service is now available to SSNIT’s 267,000 pensioners nationwide.
Speaking at the launch, SSNIT Director-General Kwesi Afreh Biney described the initiative as a response to longstanding calls for the Trust to deliver greater social impact beyond pension payments.
“Our telehealth service represents an important evolution in institutional thinking. It reflects a shift from being primarily a transactional pension administrator to becoming a more holistic social impact organisation concerned with the broader well-being of our members,” he said.
Mr. Biney noted that SSNIT has over the years invested in office infrastructure, student accommodation, housing, and energy projects, while continuing to explore innovative ways of supporting contributors and pensioners.
“Social security in the modern context must evolve beyond income replacement into supporting the broader well-being and quality of life of the people we serve,” he added.
He revealed that the Trust intends to extend the service to all SSNIT contributors in the future, subject to a successful evaluation of the current rollout for pensioners.
Under the programme, pensioners can access the service by calling the toll-free number 0800-877-555 or dialing the shortcode *929# to request a medical consultation.
After verification of their SSNIT or Ghana Card number and confirmation of their National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) status, an appointment is scheduled. A general practitioner then returns the call within 48 to 72 hours.
The service covers medical consultations, prescriptions for medicines approved under the NHIS, and laboratory tests included under the Pensioners’ Medical Scheme. Beneficiaries are required to provide details of their symptoms and any medications they are currently taking to facilitate effective consultations.
Mr. Biney credited the success of the initiative to collaboration between SSNIT and key stakeholders, including the NHIA, The Trust Hospital, the National Pensioners Association, and the Retired Senior Citizens Association.
He emphasized that digital healthcare solutions are becoming increasingly important worldwide, particularly in improving access to medical services for vulnerable groups.
“We are proud to position ourselves within that forward-looking conversation,” he said.
The launch marks a significant step in SSNIT’s efforts to integrate technology into social protection services, while improving healthcare accessibility and convenience for pensioners across the country.
