Retirees to access doctors remotely under new SSNIT initiative

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has launched a telehealth service that will allow pensioners to access medical consultations remotely, marking an expansion of the institution’s role beyond pension administration into broader social protection and healthcare support.

The initiative, developed in partnership with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Trust Hospital and pensioner groups, is designed to improve healthcare access for retirees, particularly those in remote communities and those facing mobility challenges.

Speaking at the launch, SSNIT Director-General Kwesi Afreh Biney said the service responds to growing healthcare needs among an ageing population and reflects a shift in how the institution views its mandate.

“Today we’re launching more than a service. It’s a new conversation about retirement dignity and what it brings,” he said, describing the programme as part of SSNIT’s evolution from a “transactional pension administrator” into a more holistic social-impact organisation.

Under the initiative, pensioners will be able to consult healthcare professionals from their homes through digital channels, reducing the need for long journeys and lengthy waits at healthcare facilities. The service is expected to support retirees managing chronic conditions by providing access to medical guidance, monitoring and follow-up care.

Biney said the programme emerged from consultations with pensioners and stakeholder groups, including the National Pensioners Association and Retired Senior Executives Association, which highlighted healthcare access as a major concern among retirees.

The launch comes as governments and social security tinstitutions globally explore digital health solutions to improve service delivery and address pressures associated with ageing populations. According to Biney, telehealth aligns with international trends that position digital healthcare as a tool for expanding access and improving continuity of care for vulnerable groups.

For SSNIT, the initiative represents a strategic effort to deepen engagement with beneficiaries while strengthening confidence in the institution’s relevance beyond retirement income payments. Biney said social security systems must increasingly support the overall well-being of beneficiaries rather than focus solely on income replacement.

The programme also underscores growing collaboration between public institutions and healthcare providers in delivering social services. NHIA provided policy support for the initiative, while Trust Hospital will serve as the primary clinical provider.

SSNIT expects public awareness and adoption to determine the programme’s impact. The institution believes wider uptake could improve healthcare outcomes for pensioners while contributing to a broader transformation of social protection delivery in Ghana through technology-enabled services.

 

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