General News of 2026-11-06
Mahama threatens sanctions against hospitals charging NHIS patients extra fees
President John Dramani Mahama has warned health facilities that they risk sanctions if they charge patients additional fees outside the approved National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) arrangements.
He said the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) was monitoring health facilities across the country to identify those demanding extra payments from patients despite their presentation of valid NHIS cards.
Speaking at the 68th Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Medical Association at Central University in Prampram, on November 6, 2026, President Mahama said he had received complaints about the practice and would not allow it to continue.
NHIA serves warning to credentialed health facilities over illegal charges, asks MoH to intervene
“I have received complaints that, despite patients presenting their NHIS cards, some facilities still demand money from them before providing services,” he said.
He added that the NHIA was monitoring facilities and that “any facility found charging patients additional fees outside the approved insurance arrangements will be dealt with.”
The President also outlined the government's efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery through three major programmes: Free Primary Healthcare, the uncapped NHIS and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares.
He explained that the initiatives were designed to provide patients with a continuous chain of care, from early screening and diagnosis to specialised treatment for serious conditions.
“Together, these three programmes are intended to provide a more reliable continuum of care,” he said.
President Mahama said Free Primary Healthcare, launched in April 2026, would bring screening, early detection and treatment of selected conditions closer to communities, while the NHIS would support treatment at the district level and above.
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, on the other hand, is expected to support patients with selected serious conditions requiring specialised care beyond existing NHIS coverage.
On healthcare financing, he disclosed that the 2026 Budget allocated about GH¢22.8 billion to the Ministry of Health and its agencies, with an additional GH¢11.3 billion earmarked for transfers to the National Health Insurance Fund. Of the amount, GH¢2.26 billion is allocated to MahamaCares.
He said the uncapping of the NHIS fund had improved the reliability of healthcare financing, allowing the NHIA to make monthly payments for submitted and vetted claims.
The President also disclosed that service tariffs had been increased by 50 per cent since August 2026.
He said the measures were intended to help health facilities plan their finances, procure medical supplies and sustain services, but urged stakeholders to remain vigilant against fraud and waste.
NA/BAI
