Coalition of NGOs into Health advocate free health care system

The Coalition of non-governmental organisations into Health has underscored the need for government to ensure that there is national free health care delivering system.

The Vice Chairman of the Upper East Chapter of the Coalition , Mr Noble Alagskomah Asakeya made the suggestion when he led the body on a route march in the Bolgatanga Municipality to embark upon the campaign for free health care.

He expressed dismay that after 55 years of independence Ghana cannot offer free health care delivery to it citizens.

Mr Asakeya said the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), majority of Ghanaians especially those who are not working in the formal sector and the marginalised in the society cannot pay to register with the scheme or to renew their NHIS.

“The NHIS rather favour the rich and workers in the formal sector since it is claimed that their money are being deducted by SSNIT (Social Security and National Insurance Trust) leaving those outside…to suffer.”

He said since many people cannot afford to pay for the NHIS or renew it, they often result to the unorthodox means of treatment, which have dangerous health implications.

Mr Asakeya stressed that health is a right issue which should not be treated lightly.

“Ghana has abundant resources and all that is needed is prudent measures to mobilise (them) to cater freely for the health care needs of Ghanaians particularly the poorest.”

He asked the government to cut down political appointment, reduction of public purchase of vehicles and energy use and the judicious use of State resources to be able to fund the health needs of Ghanaians.

The Vice Chairman of the Coalition also impressed upon the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, civil society organisations, the media among other organisations to step up public health education to curtail certain communicable diseases like cholera.

Mr Thomas Abagmbire, Regional Secretary of the coalition said the establishment of the health fund would help avoid the fatality rate associated with the vulnerable in the society.

Some of the placards carried by members of the coalition included: “December 2012 election; Vote for universal access to health care in Ghana, “Government! Ensure free health care by 2015,” “Progressive tax base- financing the way to implement free health care system in Ghana.”