NHIS will not affect pension benefits - Minister

Kumasi, Aug. 11, GNA - Mr. Kwaku Agyeman Manu, Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning has sated that the government is working with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to ensure that reduced pension benefits will not happen with the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He said already, a new investment policy has been introduced in SSNIT with the aim of eliminating bad investments or low yield investments from SSNIT's investment portfolio.

Mr. Manu was addressing a Regional Consultative public forum on the National Health Insurance Bill organised by the joint Parliamentary-Select Committee on Health and Finance in Kumasi on Monday.

He said, "With a little more efficiency in management of the fund, it is anticipated that pension benefits will rather be enhanced despite channelling a portion of contributors fund into the National Health Insurance Fund".

The Deputy Minister indicated that the whole scheme could not be sustained without a very reliable, regular, convenient to collect source of funding.

He said there was therefore, the need for the introduction of two and a half percent levy on expenditures, a portion of workers contribution to support the fund, payment of premiums by individuals who register with the scheme, government's own contributions, and donor's contributions.

Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Health said it is envisaged that there will be a District Health Insurance Scheme in the districts and a board, which will be answerable to the District Health Assembly to be created.

He said various hospitals that would be allowed to operate the Scheme would be asked to provide the necessary potentials and merits of status and standards.

Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister called on all stakeholders to make frantic and relevant contributions to the Bill to ensure a sustainable Insurance Scheme that would enhance access to health care delivery.

"Let us put aside all our political differences and address issues as objectively as possible", he said.

Mr Moses Asaga, a Ranking Member and NDC shadow Minister for Finance and Economic Planning said the forum was an idea to build consensus and credibility of the scheme.

He pointed out that the very critical issue of the Scheme was funding and said this is where "we need the support and co-operation of all to make the scheme permanent and sustainable".

Mr Alan Kyeremateng, Minister of Trade, Industry and Presidential Initiatives said anybody caught in a fraudulent deal with the scheme would not be spared. 11 Aug. 03