There are calls for separation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) financial credit from the consolidated fund.
This topped suggestions by some participants at a day’s public forum in Tamale on a possible review of the NHIS.
They argued that government’s control of the NHIS finances have always contributed to delays in paying service providers who often threaten to withdraw their services.
They also advocated the need for quality assurance as some of the subscribers have always complained about quality variation by the service providers.
They thereby asked the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to intensify their surveillance to ensure value for money.
Some service providers confirmed that patients were often required to pay additional money (co-payment) for services and medicines not covered by the NHIS.
A seven-member technical review committee chaired by Dr. Chris Atim interacted with the stakeholders and sought their input to make the NHIS more efficient and sustainable.
Dr. Chris Atim told Citi News on the sidelines that the committee embarked on a nationwide listening tour to gather public opinion on how to repackage the NHIS to achieve its goal.
According to him, the committee among other objectives is to ensure the scheme’s financial sustainability and increase public confidence in the service providers.
“Accountability and efficiency in the operations of the scheme as well as provision of a framework for periodic review and alignment of the scheme to broad health sector goals formed part of the committee’s objectives,” Dr. Atim stated.
He said the committee at the end of the public forum would analyze all the recommendations in tandem with previous analyses and draw an action plan for implementation.
The action plan will incorporate developing a change management and communication strategies to support the implementation of the proposed recommendations, he narrated.
It was revealed that the NHIS recorded 10.5 million active subscriber base as at December 2014.
Over 29 million attendances at health care facilities were made on account of the NHIS in 2014.
Currently, 69% of NHIS registered subscribers are exempted from paying premiums.
Revenues emanating from contributions collection over the years form a relatively small proportion of NHIS inflows accounting for 3.4% of total revenue for 2014.
The National Insurance Levy contributed 73.8% of total revenue while SSNIT contributions accounted for 20.4%.
The forum attracted Medical Doctors, service providers, scheme managers, pharmacists, nurses, health facility administrators, the clergy, the media and some subscribers from the entire Northern Region.
As part of measures to sustain the NHIS, President John Dramani Mahama set up the seven-member Technical Review Committee to review the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana