The Minority in Parliament has sounded the alarm over the potential and dire public health consequences arising from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) funding challenge.
In a strongly worded statement, the Caucus warned that urgent failure to address the situation could lead to infectious diseases such as measles and cerebrospinal meningitis.
The revelation that the NHIS has not received any financial transfers this year has raised serious concerns. The Minority described the situation as a ‘gross and wanton neglect’ and emphasized the urgent need for intervention to prevent the scheme’s collapse.
MP Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, called on the Bawumia-led Economic Management Team to take immediate action.
“The NHIA is bankrupt because it has not received any releases from the Ministry of Finance this year.”
“Our checks at the Bank of Ghana show that the National Health Insurance Fund has less than GHS1.0 million. This fund is bankrupt, to say the least.”
Akandoh also criticized the implementation of the Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act in 2017.
He claimed this act diverted crucial funds from the NHIS to other projects, including the National Cathedral.
“The operation of the Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act has denied the NHIF payments of over GH¢6.0 billion,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has acknowledged that the authority is still awaiting fund releases from the Ministry of Finance.
Despite his assurances of the NHIA’s financial stability, the Minority remains sceptical due to the lack of funds.
The Minority stressed the legal obligation of the Ministry of Finance to transfer collected levies to the NHIF within 30 days, as per the National Health Insurance Act (Act 852).
However, he accused the Ministry of habitual delays, which have caused significant operational challenges for the NHIS.
Akandoh stated, “In a recent shameless charade to deceive Ghanaians, the Minister of Finance, after five months of not transferring a cedi to the NHIS, issued a letter directing the Controller and Accountant General to transfer GH¢2.4 billion to the NHIF.”
“This empty gesture, with no actual intention to make payments, was nothing less than gross official deception.”
The Minority pledged to continue their oversight responsibility, holding the government accountable and ensuring that the needs of the average Ghanaian are met, including health, promptly according to our statutes is our highest priority.
