Kumasi, March 5, GNA - Some residents in the Kumasi Metropolis have appealed to the government to act firmly to salvage the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from collapse.

They expressed anxiety about rumours, controversies and frustrations that have bedeviled the operation of the Scheme in recent times. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in separate interviews, the residents said the current state of affairs was disturbing.

The NHIS, they maintain, has been most beneficial to the poor, who cannot afford the high cost of medical care and that if allowed to become dysfunctional there would be real problems for the marginalised. The appeal comes as a number of health facilities in the Kumasi Metropolis, especially the private ones, are said to be refusing to provide services to Card holding members of the scheme for non-payment of claims by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

Stephen Osei, a petty trader, said this is fuelling frustration and agitation among the people.

Akosua Addai Bema, second-hand clothes seller, said the NHIS, has been the only hope for the low income earners and must be saved at all cost by the government.

"My brother, we cannot simply afford to go back to the inhuman cash and carry system."

Service providers including government facilities, have in recent times raised concerns about the inability of the NHIA to reimburse them of the huge sums of money owed them for services provided.

They complain of difficulty in drug supplies and replacement of consumables including syringes, cotton wool, gloves, bandage and others. The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), which has huge unpaid claims, is reported to be running out of drugs at its pharmacy department. The dire situation and uncertainty about claims re-fund, had forced some facilities to demand cash payment before services are rendered. Akosua Boatemaa, a shop owner, said this was defeating the goals of the health insurance scheme.

"What is needed now is for the government to design strategies that would help sustain and improve the operations of the scheme", she added. Mr Afrifa Yamoah Ponko, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Scheme, admitted that the Scheme is owing the facilities, but said efforts were being made to pay all outstanding debt. He said they were investigating reports of fraudulent activities by some scheme managers and service providers. They would do everything to rid the scheme of malpractices, which had led to the escalation of debts to service providers, he added. 5 March 10