NHIA's restrictions would deny rural population access to health care

Kumasi, Feb. 22, GNA - The Ghana Medical Assistants Association (GMA= A) has expressed concern about restrictions imposed on its members by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), with regard to the management o= f certain diseases and drugs prescription.

Under the new drug list announced by the NHIA, medical assistants cannot see cases involving asthmatic attack, wound suturing, mild to moderate hypertension and mild diabetes.

Additionally, they have been limited in the prescription of some analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs like diclofenac and ibuprofen. The Association, however, insists this would not be helpful to the delivery of quality health care to the rural population. A communiqu=E9 issued and signed by Chief Imoro Azuma Bandana, Preside= nt of the GMAA, at the end of an emergency national meeting in Kumasi, said since their Health Centres serve the health needs of about 70 per cent of the population, mainly in the rural communities, the restrictions would den= y many, access to quality care.

They said they are also not happy with their non-involvement in tariff negotiations. They therefore demanded that they should be recognized as service providers and included in all negotiations regarding tariffs and review of the essential medicines list.