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The Christian Health Association of Ghana has finally pledged to offer services to NHIS card holders who visit any of their facilities for medical reasons. This consensus was reached after a meeting was held to deliberate on issues related to the restoration of healthcare services to NHIS cardholders at CHAG facilities. The meeting was attended by officials from Health Ministry, the Minister of State at the Presidency in charge of Regulatory Bodies, the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and the National Health Insurance Authority. Failure on the part of the NHIS secretariat to honour claims of health institutions under the CHAG, had earlier on, compelled CHAG to refuse treating patients on NHIS because they were not paid for the services rendered. However after smoking the peace pipe today, the CHAG families have agreed to render services to NHIS cardholders throughout the country with immediate effect. Below is a copy of the joint statement signed by the parties involved. JOINT STATEMENT ON MEETING HELD BETWEEN THE CHRISTIAN HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF GHANA AND THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE AUTHORITY ON THE RESTORATION OF SERVICES TO NHIS CARD HOLDERS AT CHAG FACILITIES Under the leadership of the Minister of Health and the Minister of State at the Presidency in charge of Regulatory Bodies, the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and the National Health Insurance Authority held a meeting on 22nd July 2014 at the Ministry to deliberate on issues pertinent to the restoration of healthcare services to NHIS cardholders at CHAG facilities. It was agreed at the meeting that some of the issues raised by CHAG as the basis for the cessation of services required strategic multi-stakeholder input for policy consideration, a process that would require effective planning and consultation. On issues that could be immediately resolved, it was agreed as follows: 1.Delayed Claims Payments: The NHIA will endeavor to pay claims for March 2014 that are submitted on time by 1st August 2014, and thereafter work with CHAG to define a claims payment time lag that ensures certainty of payments taking into account current constraints. 2.Low Tariffs: The new Medicines List and Prices have taken effect since 1st July 2014, however in the face of escalating prices, there will be the need to complete the next tariff review cycle for implementation by January 2015. Regarding the ongoing review of tariffs for services, an interim increase of 12.5% across the board will be done to take effect from 1st August 2014 whilst steps are expedited to complete the full review by 30th September 2014. 3.Operational Contract: CHAG and the NHIA are working together to complete the review of a new Provider Services Contract for execution by the parties. Based on the above understandings, the parties have agreed that services to NHIS cardholders be restored by CHAG facilities throughout the country with immediate effect. Signed this 22nd Day of July 2014 ����������������� ������������������ SYLVESTER A MENSAH GILBERT BUCKLE CHIEF EXECUTIVE (NHIA) EXECUTIVE SECRETARY (CHAG)