NHIS Needs More Funding For Sustainability-UER

Management of the National Health Insurance Scheme NHIS as at the beginning of 2018, through its regional and district offices in consultation with organized labor and other stakeholders, proposed a number of funding sources to help improve the smooth running of the scheme. Among the proposed funding sources included one percent increment In the National Health Insurance Levy NHIL from 2.5% to 3.5%, one percent direct contribution from employees’ salary and 2% from employers.

Among other additional funding sources the Management of the Scheme and the stakeholders proposed also   included a percentage from the oil revenues, health taxes such as cigarette, alcohol and sugar and a portion of the communication revenues. 

The Regional Director of the NHIS, Sebastian Alagpulinsa, disclosed this to Radio Ghana during the Mid-year performance review held at the In -Service Training Center of the Ghana Health Service GHS of the Upper East Region called on all stakeholders to back up the proposal of the number of funding sources suggested by the Management of the Scheme and other stakeholders.  

He stated that for Ghana to be able to achieve the Universal Access to Health Coverage the country will need a very strong and resourced NHIS. 

He  indicated that, as a leading health care financing organization, quality and affordable health care is the foundation for every citizen to lead a productive and fulfilling live which will propel a developing country like Ghana to grow a robust economy. 

He stated that an investment in quality health care delivery is human capital and a foundation for inclusion for sustainable economic growth. According to Alagpulinsa, the NHIS intervention offer easy access to healthcare and to ensure that people are healthy. 

The Regional Manager stated that the Scheme covers about 95% of disease conditions such as outpatient and impatient services, oral health, maternal care and emergencies. 

He stated that the NHIS is one of the major social protection policies in Ghana that receives international recognition as an outstanding social protection in health. 

He added that the scheme for the past decade has significantly improved health-seeking behaviors of people and also trigger membership drive which brought life expectancy from 57 in 2003 and 2004 to 63 years currently. 

Mr. Alagpulinsa said that, as at June this year, the region registered Two hundred and thirty-one thousand  nine hundred and 61 representing 65% of their set target out of Three hundred and fifty- four thousand eight-hundred and 21. 

Indigent registration stood at Thirty-Four thousand 78 representing 46% of the mid-year target of Seventy-Three thousand three hundred and 79. Mr. Alagpulinsa threw more light on the need to help fund the Scheme. 

The aim of the second quarter review meeting sort to critically examine the performance of the NHIS's successes and challenges in order to meet their target objectives by the end 2818.  

It was under the theme, "Improving the financing model of the National Health Insurance Scheme: ensuring sustainable and attaining Universal Health Coverage in Ghana by 2030". 

The Universal Health Coverage is to ensure that all people have access to the needed promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health at affordable services.

Story by: GBC’s Emmanuel Akayeti