Policy think tank, IMANI Ghana, has in a new report identified some potential to funding sources to revamp\u00a0the National Health Insurance Scheme which has been saddled with huge debts.<\/p>\n
The report released by IMANI Ghana titled: \u201cReforming the National Health Insurance; Pathways to sustainable healthcare financing\u201d made a number of recommendations including focusing on the poor, while encouraging those with formal employment \u201cto move into private health insurance schemes.\u201d<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”9uEoAXZB2p6d5EYRXMaUB8zaQFzlryer”]\u201cWith over 10 million Ghanaians with no health insurance cover, there is also an opportunity to expand insurance coverage through the greater use of private health insurance schemes.<\/p>\n
Currently, these are mainly used by formal employees, but there is also demand for private insurance schemes to cater for the informal majority and low income earners,\u201d a summary of the report added.<\/p>\n
IMANI in the report further urged government to remove the regulatory barriers to entry for private health insurers to increase competition within the sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cFurther, innovations in payment technology should be leveraged to create innovative payment solutions for those without access to traditional bank accounts,\u201d the policy think tank added.<\/p>\n
GHc1.2 billion debt<\/strong><\/p>\n The scheme with a membership of over 11 million as at 2016, had a debt stock of GHc1.2 billion.<\/p>\n Some health facilities which were supposed to be reimbursed for their services, threatened to resort to a cash-and-carry system if government fails to pay them.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Akufo-Addo government subsequently cleared GHc560 million<\/strong><\/a><\/span> of the debt, and promised to pay the rest within a period of twelve months.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Click here for the full report from IMANI Ghana:<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n –<\/p>\n By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
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