Citi News checks at some hospitals in Accra indicate that the Ghana Health Service’s (GHS) directive to health facilitates not to turn away National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card holders is yet to be officially received.
[contextly_sidebar id=”bucTe6EjkRK3nCDI0eVzCvjZrDPxRRjT”]The directive which was issued on Wednesday instructed service providers under the scheme to continue to accept patients with NHIS cards.
The GHS explained that it was still in the process of figuring out ways to reimburse the service providers who have not been paid for months for services rendered.
Service providers NHIA have rescinded an earlier decision to charge subscribers of the national health insurance scheme.
This follows a promise by the NHIA to settle their indebtedness to the health service providers within two months.
The authorities of Adabraka Polyclinic, Nima Government Clinic and the Ridge Hospital on Wednesday told Citi News they only heard of the directive on the news and other sources but they are yet to receive any official document with respect to the directive.
According to them, they will continue receiving cash from NHIS card bearers until the directive countering their new policy is officially received.
They stressed that when they get a formal notification, they will adhere to the directive.
The GHS, the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), the Society of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners (SPMDP), and the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA) in a joint statement announced that NHIS card bearers would need to pay for their own medications and other costs that may come with their health care services.
Since the medical facilities began the cash and carry system, NHIS subscribers have called for a swift intervention because the system is “frustrating.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah has given the assurance that his outfit will soon pay the seven-month arrears it owes service providers.
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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