Ho, Aug. 15, GNA- Representatives of Labour organisations in the Volta Region on Friday suggested that government must set aside a percentage of the annual budget to fund the National Health Insurance Scheme.
They made the call at a Consultative meeting in Ho as part of a series being held throughout the regions to collate views of workers on the scheme for discussion at a National Forum next Tuesday. The forum said although the scheme was a laudable concept some issues needed to be clarified.
It asked for the clarification of the parameters of 'basic health' for which only, the Insurance Scheme would cater for and a second look at the composition of the National Health Insurance Council. The meeting opposed the proposed deduction of 2.5 percent from workers contributions to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
The forum suggested that government facilitate and reinforce work place schemes and use part of their accumulated funds to support the health needs of the employed instead of depending on workers contributions.
Representatives of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG), Ghana Registered Nurses Association and the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) were at the meeting. Mr Maxwell Akoto-Mireku, Volta Regional Secretary of the TUC, said the composition of the team collating views made discussions skewed in favour of the proposal from the government.
He said the team should have included other stakeholders such as representatives of SSNIT to enable participants to understand the Scheme and how it would affect them.
Mr Paul Owusu-Nsuradjah of the Civil Servants Association said deductions of 2.5 percent from workers' SSNIT contribution would affect the capital base of SNNIT, thus putting workers future in jeopardy. Mr William Asamoah of the Local Government Workers Union said it was discriminatory for workers to be asked to support others with their contribution.
Mr Isaac Yarney, Head of the Research Unit of the TUC said suggestions for tax on certain goods to fund the Scheme might be at variance with World Trade Organisation (WTO) conventions.
