The People’s National Party (PNP) has submitted a petition to President John Dramani Mahama, expressing deep concern over the National Health Insurance Scheme’s (NHIS) evolution into a co-payment system.
The party argues that this development betrays the original vision of the NHIS, which was designed to provide free and accessible healthcare to all Ghanaians.
The PNP cites a recent incident where a patient, despite being an NHIS cardholder, was charged GHS 1,636.40 for pharmacy services, lab tests, and basic consumables at a government hospital.
“A recent personal experience exemplifies the hardship ordinary Ghanaians face: I sent a cousin to a government hospital, only to be charged GHS 1,636.40 for pharmacy services, lab tests, and basic consumables—despite the patient being an NHIS cardholder. This is not an isolated incident but a widespread reality that reflects a broken system”
This, the party in the pentition signed by Janet Asana Nabla Chairperson and Leader claims, is not an isolated incident but a widespread reality that reflects a broken system.
The PNP demands that the government; Publicly admit that the NHIS is functioning as a co-payment system, take immediate action to restore the NHIS to its original intent, provide necessary logistics and medical resources, eliminate out-of-pocket payments, and investigate the root causes of co-payment practices.
The party also recommends; An urgent review of NHIS tariffs to match current market prices, Introduction of dedicated sin taxes on alcohol and cigarettes to generate additional revenue for the NHIS. Additional government should ensure the full 2.5% NHIS levy is paid directly and promptly into the NHIS account and ensure timely reimbursement of service providers to prevent hospitals from charging patients illegally.
Source: A1Radioonline.com |101.1 MHz |David Azure |Bolgatanga |
