Naba Asigiri Azoka Abugrago II
The JM Ambassadors group has reacted strongly to claims by the paramount chief of the Bawku traditional area, Naba Asigiri Azoka Abugrago II, who said that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) exist only in name.
The group noted that traditional leaders should endeavour to remain neutral and continue to serve as the conscience of society without ever bending to serve the interest of any one political party.
The Bawku Naba expressed his misgivings concerning the country’s health insurance system when the standard bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo AkufoAddo, paid a courtesy call at his (Bawku Naba) palace in Bawku.
However the JM Ambassadors in a statement issued in Accra and signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Alhassan Galadima, said it is unfortunate that some people are failing to appreciate the massive transformation taking place at the NHIS under the leadership of Mr Nathaniel Otoo.
“The well-orchestrated propaganda initiative of the NPP will fail to negatively influence the perception of people towards the NHIS and it is unfortunate that the chief of Bawku has fallen for a political lie” the statement said.
The statement said that the health insurance scheme has more registrants now than when it was first rolled-out and fraud perpetuated by some operators of health facilities has been the bane of management of the scheme, although that is being addressed now.
According to the statement, it is completely false to state that the national health system has failed since every public healthcare facility in the country and numerous other privately-owned healthcare centers offer services to patients or clients who visit such health centers with their health insurance cards.
“The Bawku Naba and many other people who have swallowed the lies of the opposition parties regarding the NHIS should first take their time to consider policies such as the capitation aimed at eradicating fraud and making funds readily available to service providers. The audit of the scheme by government, not long ago, also exposed some healthcare providers who were engaged in fraud”.
JM Ambassadors are also calling on all Ghanaians especially persons in authority to put aside partisan politics and rather join hands to make the scheme an attraction of the nation.
“Before going to town again on the NHIS, the overlord of Bawku and other persons of northern extraction should be reminded of the corporate social responsibilities of the NHIS, which has registered more vulnerable northern women” the statement concluded.
