We must all help to sustain the NHIS

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor in 2000 introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Prior to that, Ghana was operating a health system leaned on the ‘Cash and Carry System.’ Thus, a patient was only attended to in most cases when he/she showed proof that he/she can foot his/her medical bills.

This was a health system that indeed placed many at disadvantaged points, especially Ghanaians who fell within the poor income bracket. Therefore, the coming of the NHIS led to the phasing out of what many saw as a ‘killer’ Cash and Carry system, and ever since its establishment many Ghanaians can attest to its immense benefits.

Of course, it has had its own challenges. But the good thing is that successive governments till date have contributed towards its sustenance. This is where Today wants to use the opportunity to commend the Akufo-Addo administration for settling the GHC1.2 billion NHIS debt.

According to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, “of the GHC1.2 billion debt we inherited, the equivalent of $300 million, we have paid in the last 15 months GHC1 billion, the equivalent of $250 million.”

The President made the disclosure while addressing the Africa Summit organised by the London School of Economics on the theme: “Africa at work: Educated, Employed, Empowered,” in London last week Saturday.

The President continued that the scheme was regaining its effectiveness, so that for some minimum amount subscribers can have access to a wide range of medical services.

It, is therefore, a welcome piece of news that frantic efforts were being made by the current administration to sustain the NHIS. For that, government must be commended.

We all recall some of the attendant problems that were associated with the Cash and Carry system and how lives were lost under the system.

We hope by defraying a chunk of debt that was choking the NHIS, services rendered by hospitals and clinics registered under the scheme will begin.

This is because some of these hospitals were compelled to suspend services to NHIS cardholders, for the reason that government was indebted to them.

We are aware the entire total debt has not been settled. But we can also say that over 90% of the NHIS has been cleared by government.

It is in the light of the above that Today is urging all the hospitals under the scheme to begin rendering services to patients enrolled on the scheme. While we urge government to ensure that their monies are released to them on the agreed period.