The Ministry of Health has tasked a seven-member technical committee to review the current status of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and propose options for its reform.

The Technical Committee is also to find solutions to the recent financial challenges facing the Scheme.

The committee, chaired by Dr Chris Atim of the Africa Health Economics and Policy Association, would look at the status of the scheme, factors that have contributed to the status quo, what needs to be done, and responsibility for action.

The Committee is expected to submit a report to yet to be constituted Independent Advisory Committee which would include local and international experts, academia, legislators, civil society and service provider representatives.

The Independent Advisory Committee would review and make recommendations as well as develop a blueprint for President John Dramani Mahama to take action and translate it into a sustainable, pro-poor, efficient and dynamic structure.

Mr Alex Segbefia, Minister of Health who inaugurated the committee, recounted the financial challenges the scheme has faced since 2009 impeding the attainment of universal health coverage.

He noted that the current scheme was funded mainly through tax revenues and statutory deductions and the current increasing high cost of health care has placed so much financial pressure on the scheme, adding: “Its growth and expansion needs to be explored to sustain the scheme.”

Mr Segbefia explained that the review would help improve service delivery and enable the scheme to deliver on its vision of becoming a sustainable, progressive and equitable social health insurance scheme in Africa and beyond.

The other members of the technical committee are Dr Victor Bampoe, Deputy Minister of Health; Dr Obeng Apuri, CEO of Ridge Hospital; Mr Peter Yeboah, Executive Director of Christian Health Association of Ghana; and Professor Irene Agyapong, School of Public Health of the University of Ghana.

The rest are; Dr Huihui Wang an Economist with the World Bank and Mr Nathaniel Otoo, Acting Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority.