The Minority in Parliament has called on the Bawumia-led Economic Management Team to direct the Finance Minister to release all pending payments to the National Health Insurance Fund.
They warn that failure to do so could jeopardize the scheme.
Additionally, the caucus has urged the Finance Minister to adhere fully to the provisions of the National Health Insurance Act (Act 852).
They argue that neglect of the scheme has pushed the NHIS into a critical financial state, threatening its existence.
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, in a statement on May 24, noted, “The Minority, therefore, calls on the Bawumia-led Economic Management Team to direct the Minister responsible for Finance to release and transfer all outstanding payments to the National Health Insurance Fund by close of the week to prevent the scheme from being imperilled due to lack of funds.”
“Furthermore, we urge the Minister responsible for Finance to fully comply with the provisions of the National Health Insurance Act (Act 852), as non-compliance has clear consequences outlined in the Act.”
Mr. Akandoh emphasized that the NHIA is in a state of bankruptcy, having not received any releases from the Ministry of Finance this year. Additionally, their checks at the Bank of Ghana indicate that the National Health Insurance Fund has less than GHS1.0 million.
He expressed the minority’s outrage at the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-led administration’s blatant disregard for the sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme, which has led to its current financially bankrupt state.
“This gross and wanton neglect has driven the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) into a precarious financial state of comatose requiring intensive care services to save it from impending and inevitable collapse.
“In fact, the NHIA is bankrupt because it has not received any releases from the Ministry of Finance this year. In addition, our checks at the Bank of Ghana show that the National Health Insurance Fund has less than GHS1.0 million. This a fund that is bankrupt, to say the least.”