NHIA calls for more taxes to fund scheme

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is calling on government to come up with varied financial models to sustain the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr. Samuel Yaw Annor, who was speaking at a forum organized by the NHIA, said Ghanaians should be ready to pay high taxes to help increase the scheme’s current financing model.

He stated that there is the need for an increase in the current 30 dollars to 86 dollars per person per year for basic healthcare.

According to the NHIA boss, the limited funds for the payment of claims by service providers impede effective healthcare delivery.

The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced in 2003 to do away with the cash and carry system.

The scheme is financed by the 2.5% of value added tax and 2.5% contributions from SSNIT, which amounts to 30 dollars for each person per year.

Managers however say the current financing model is inadequate as membership of the scheme continues to increase.

While he Authority is hopeful government would intervene by directing more funds towards the scheme, they are embarking on a nationwide programme to solicit public inputs to address challenges in implementing the NHIS.

The NHIA CEO, Dr. Samuel Yaw Annor said the Authority is working to address inefficiencies in the scheme’s implementation, including electronic processing of claims.