Former President John Dramani Mahama has said some health facilities are yet to receive money from the government for services provided that were catered for by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
At a meeting with branch and constituency executives of his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Sefwi Adobokrom, in the Bia East Constituency, Mr. Mahama said holders of the NHIS card are being turned away from most health facilities because government is not paying their claims.
“Health facilities have not been paid since last year for services provided to card holders. How do you expect them to continue treating them”, he asked.
Meanwhile, the former statesman has advised the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu to step aside from his role over his failure to ensure the sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Mr Agyemang Manu has said that the Scheme is no longer effective, confessing that he no longer uses the programme and instead prefers to pay for his medical care.
He complained vehemently that people who are unable to pay are being denied access to medical treatments, claiming that the treatment given to NHIS card holders at the various clinics is subpar.
Reacting to the comments, the former President said “He (Health Minister) has admitted that he has failed. He has not been able to grow the NHIS, and he says it has failed… he has no business being the minister for health. He should resign”.
Government is able to subside medical bills of citizens through the enforcement of the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), which is 2.5% levy on goods and services collected under the Value Added Tax (VAT).
Also, government generates funds from “2.5 percentage points of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions per month; return on National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) investments and premium paid by informal sector subscribers.”
Source: The Independent Ghana