Govt urged to pay medical bills promptly

Dr Dominic K. Obeng-Andoh, Medical Director of Obengfo Hospital, has called on government to resource the National Health Insurance Scheme providers on time for the efficient functioning of healthcare.

He lauded the Scheme but added that government must do more to avoid the unfortunate disappointment experienced by many in the settlement of bills to the scheme operators.

Dr Obeng-Andoh, who made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at his facility at Weija Junction in Accra, said the delay in the payment of bills has many operational difficulties for health facilities.

He said some healthcare providers sometimes go for loans from the banks to operate their facilities and the postponing of payment of bills, places them in an awkward position.

He said Ghanaians need to have a disciplined lifestyle and avoid eating fatty foods as it causes many sicknesses.

Dr Obeng-Andoh, who is a Medical Doctor and a cosmetic surgeon, said healthcare, is comparatively cheaper in the country than in the US and Britain but implementing policies has created problems for many healthcare facilities.

He explained that cosmetic surgery is the reshaping of the human body without bodily cuts and he is making efforts to pioneer the procedure as a form of medical-tourism in the country.

On the celebration of the National Sanitation Day, Dr Obeng-Andoh said it is an effort in the right direction, but urged the citizens not to wait for the day before they clean their environment.

“The filth that is created is also a major cause of health problems and the people must be environmentally conscious and tidy their surroundings constantly to prevent such occurrences,” he said.