National Health Insurance Scheme not on the verge of collapse - Authority
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has urged Ghanaians to disregard the media report suggesting that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was on the verge of collapse because the authority is not receiving the full amount of the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL).
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In a press statement dated November 23, 2023, the authority stressed that even though no government during the 4th Republic has ever provided the NHIA with all the NHIL collected as required by law, the scheme was not collapsing.
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The statement was in response to a publication titled, "NHIS almost collapsing, stay off the NHI levy - Dormaahene says as he threatens legal action”.
“The said story was projected that Dormaahene Oseadeyo Agyeman Badu II bemoaned the current situation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The highly revered Chief demonstrated concern and a dedication to the long-term viability of the Scheme, for which the management of the NHIA is very grateful and appreciative,” it said.
“His strong plea for the government to leave the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) alone and provide it to the NHIA to bolster its functions—particularly the processing of claims for healthcare providers—is warranted,” the statement added.
The statement further stressed that while the authority’s management appreciated Osagyefo's call for the government to give the scheme the full amount of the NHIL collected, it strongly disapproves of the media narrative that seeks to create an impression that the NHIS was collapsing NHIS, therefore depriving healthcare providers of their rightful claims.
That, it said, was because the NHIA has consistently paid healthcare facilities an average of GH¢150 Million every 30 days especially over the past two years, a phenomenon that , it said, has not occurred this frequently since the inception of the NHIS some twenty years ago.
“Evidence of monthly claims payment can be found on the website (www.nhis.gov.gh/payments). We wish to state unequivocally that the impression created by the said story is inaccurate and unfortunate.
The authority encouraged the the media to find out the real situation that existed in the country’s healthcare facilities and not to paint a picture that was far from the truth because millions of Ghanaians continue to depend on the NHIS to provide access to healthcare.
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Attached below is a copy of the statement;
The National Health Insurance Authority's (NHIA) management has taken notice of a story published on Ghanaweb.com on the 22nd November 2023, with the tagline, "NHIS almost collapsing, stay off the NHI levy - Dormaahene says as he threatens legal action”.
The said story was projected that Dormaahene Oseadeyo Agyeman Badu II bemoaned the current situation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The highly revered Chief demonstrated concern and a dedication to the long-term viability of the Scheme, for which the management of the NHIA is very grateful and appreciative. His strong plea for the government to leave the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) alone and provide it to the NHIA to bolster its functions—particularly the processing of claims for healthcare providers—is warranted.
While management appreciates Osagyefo's call for the government to give the Scheme the full amount of the NHIL collected, we would like to address the erroneous impression that the reportage created, suggesting that the Scheme is on the verge of collapse because the NHIA is not receiving the full amount of the NHI levy, therefore depriving healthcare providers of their rightful claims. It is imperative to put on record that no government during the Fourth Republic has ever provided the NHIA with all the NHIL collected albeit enshrined in law – a situation that can be improved upon.
We however strongly disapprove of the media narrative that seeks to create an impression of a collapsing NHIS. The NHIA has consistently paid healthcare facilities an average of One Hundred and Fifty Million Ghana Cedis (GHS150 Million) every Thirty (30) days especially over the past two years.
A phenomenon that has not occurred this frequently since the inception of the Scheme some twenty years ago.
Evidence of monthly claims payment can be found on the website (www.nhis.gov.gh/payments). We wish to state unequivocally that the impression created by the said story is inaccurate and unfortunate.
We hereby encourage the media to find out the real situation that exists in our healthcare facilities and not to paint a picture that is at a considerable distance from the truth. Millions of Ghanaians continue to depend on the NHIS to provide access to healthcare.
Signed: Corporate Affairs Directorate, NHIA
Date: 23 /11 / 2023
