President John Mahama has rebuffed assertions that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is dead.
Addressing party supporters in the Northern Region where he is currently touring, Mr Mahama said contrary to claims by the opposition parties that the scheme was dead, it was “very strong”.
“Our political opponents say NHIS has collapsed. NHIS in 2008 saw nine million outpatient visitations to hospitals. Last year, 2015, the NHIS has grown in outpatients visitations from nine million to 29 million. How can that be a scheme that has collapsed?
“In 2008, the total amount of money that was paid to facilities for providing treatments to NHIA [National Health Insurance Authority] patients was GHS183 million. Last year, 2015, the total amount of money that was paid by NHIA to facilities across the country for treatments given to NHIA cardholders was more than GHS1 billion. How can that be a scheme that has collapsed?” Mr Mahama asked.
According to him, the NDC has been able to extend the lifespan of the scheme which was expected to have died by 2010. “It was predicted that from the way it was structured, it could last only till 2010… we have extended the life of the NHIA from 2010 to 2016 and it is still providing service.”
“If we want to it to be sustainable, we have to restructure it and that is why we are introducing computerised claims system and capitation so that we can make it more sustainable. So if anybody comes and tells you that the NHIA has collapsed tell the person it is lie. Tell the person that the NHIA is very strong,” Mr Mahama is seeking a second term in office said.
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