NHIA on its knees due to the misuse of resources - Ato Forson

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has expressed worry over the country's fiscal challenges, emphasing its impact on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

Speaking at the National Economic Dialogue on Monday, March 3, 2025, he noted that due to the Capping Act, the NHIS no longer receives the full Health Insurance Levy as required by law.

"Capital expenditure social spending has been very low and is often misused. The National Health Insurance scheme faces financial shortfalls and also misuse of resources. So, the problem with national health insurance is not only with the financing shortfalls but also with misuse of resources."

He further revealed that "the National Health Insurance no longer receives its full national health insurance levy as approved by law due to the Capping Act. Additionally, resources increasingly diverted towards non-core activities and this hinders efficiency."

He added, "Today less than 60% of the national health insurance budget goes to non-claim payment and you could see that in the year 2008 from the graph we used to use 86% of the national health insurance budget for the purposes of claim payment", he added.

The NHIA was established under the National Health Insurance Act 2003, Act 650, to secure the implementation of a national health insurance policy that ensures access to basic healthcare services for Ghanaians.

JKB/WB

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