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Ghana: Would NHIS Listen to DCE Doomson?
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Ghanaian Chronicle (Accra)
EDITORIAL
8 May 2008
Posted to the web 8 May 2008
When the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) at the national level, after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government had experimented with it on a pilot basis, many were the Ghanaians who were sceptical about its success. As a result of this mentality, most people refused to register with the scheme. But, after continuous education, Ghanaians seem to have now accepted it.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NHIS, Mr. Ras Boateng, in his recent interaction with senior journalists, gave encouraging figures about the improvement of the scheme, after initial difficulties.
He also explained how they were judiciously utilising the resources at their disposal, to ensure the sustenance of the scheme. This is good news Ghanaians expect to hear, because all over the world, especially in the developed countries, health insurance plays major roles in their health delivery system. It is not easy for one to walk to hospital, in these countries, for medical attention without a health insurance card.
The Chronicle is hopeful that by the end of the year, almost 80% of the population, or more, would have joined the scheme, to help eradicate some of the preventable deaths in the country.
Whilst commending the scheme managers, and the government for the introduction of the scheme, we also wish to draw their attention, to the call made by the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Emmanuel Adjei Doomson, that the current fees being charged as premium, before admitting new members into the scheme, be reviewed downwards.
The Chronicle thinks the DCE has raised valid points that must not be wished away. There is no doubt that Ghanaians have accepted the scheme, but the membership has not risen to expected levels, though the modest gain, as we noted earlier, is commendable. The reason is simple, people, especially those from deprived homes, can still not raise the GH¢7.20 needed to pay for the premium. According to Doomson, membership of the scheme in his district is going down, because of the inability of the people to renew their membership.
Clearly, managers of the scheme, cannot be blamed for the fees charged, because the law establishing the scheme states that a premium between GH¢7.20 and GH¢48, should be charged.
The Chronicle, however, thinks that since human beings make laws, it can also be changed, or amended by the same people. We, therefore, wish to add our voice to that of Mr. Doomson, for the review of the premium, if that would not result in the collapse of the entire scheme.
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We also wish to appeal to Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), institutions and individuals, who have the financial means, to go to the aide of such deprived people.
The government and Ghanaians have the responsibility of ensuring that the NHIS succeeds.
This success story can only be told, if everybody contributes his or her quota to its smooth running.
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