The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has defended the insurance capitation system, insisting that, it has cut down waste.

Mr Eric Ametorquame, the Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs, said it has stopped unnecessary claims payment.

The capitation is being piloted in the Ashanti Region and has met some resistance from both service providers and the general public.

A number of private health facilities have vowed not to be part of its implementation.

Addressing a stakeholders’ forum at Nyinahin in the Atwima-Mponua District to help the people to have better understanding of the new payment system, Mr. Ametorquame said it has helped the authority to determine the number of patients attending a particular facility and how much to pay.

He said they would continue to engage the stakeholders and find a common ground to address their concerns.

Mr. Samid Baba, Atwima-Mponua Mutual Health Insurance Manager, said a total of 40,536 out of the 43,233 insurance card holders in the area have enrolled for the capitation.**