Improve coverage of NHIS-Amoah

Takoradi, July 10, GNA - Mr Anthony Evans Amoah, the Western Regional Minister, has expressed concern about the poor coverage of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the region despite the huge investment and extensive sensitisation of the people since its inception three years ago.

He said this in an address read for him at a meeting of stakeholders of the NHIS under the theme "Working Together To Streamline Implementation of NHIS in the Western Region" in Takoradi on Monday. Mr Amoah said 34 per cent of over two million people in the region registered with the scheme as at the end of last year and this is far below expectation considering the benefits clients stand to gain. He said the poor patronage could be due to problems that are hampering the smooth implementation of the scheme in the region. Mr Amoah said there have been allegations of undue delays in the reimbursement of service providers after they had provided services to members of the various schemes.

He noted the sustainability of the scheme largely depended on the availability of drugs and other non-drug requirement to constantly provide quality services to clients.

Mr Amoah appealed to the various Mutual Health Insurance Schemes and the National Health Insurance Council to expedite action in the reimbursement of Service Providers to ensure the sustainability of the scheme.

He said reports indicate people who register with the scheme have to wait for long time before they are issued with identity cards. Mr Amoah said there are also daily reports of nightmares people go through when they visit health facilities.

There are other reports of alleged embezzlement of funds by some of the managements of the scheme and urged "Anybody who has the intention of doing anything that would put impediments in the way of the implementation of the scheme to desist from it".

Dr Sylvester Anemana, the Regional Director of Health Services, said there are 15 District-wide Mutual Health Insurance Schemes in the region and all started offering the benefit package to clients 16 to 24 months ago.

Dr Anemana said some moderate achievements have been made within this short period of the implementation of the scheme in the region and as at the end of 2006, 23 per cent of health facilities in the region were insured clients and statistics indicate the figure is increasing. He spoke of implementation difficulties of the scheme which has been coming up over the past two years saying his office has received complaints from health care providers about delayed payments from health insurance schemes, refusal to honour certain claims and refusal to accept certain costs.

Dr Anemana said counter accusations have been received from health insurance scheme staff that health care providers submit claims late, their documentation is incomplete and poor and they want to over charge their clients.

Mr James Ohemeng Kyei, Regional Pharmacist and the Regional Focal Person on NHIS, said problems are likely to arise in the implementation of a new national policy like the NHIS but these problems could be managed through regular stakeholders meeting to discuss emerging challenges and build consensus.

He said complaints that have so far been received about the scheme have the potential of affecting its smooth implementation if they are not properly addressed.

Mr Kyei urged stakeholders to work together to achieve the vision and mission of health insurance in Ghana. 10 July 07

Attention recipients, item 03 ends first cast.