The Minority in Parliament is warning of dire public health consequences if the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) funding challenge is not resolved urgently.
The caucus raised alarm about potential outbreaks of diseases such as measles and cerebrospinal meningitis if the situation is not addressed immediately and charged the government to prioritize the health needs of Ghanaians over other projects and comply with statutory requirements for the NHIS.
The demand follows revelations that the NHIS has not received any financial transfers this year, leading to severe cash flow issues.
The Minority described the situation as a ‘gross and wanton neglect’ and lamented that the scheme is officially financially bankrupt and requires urgent intervention to prevent its collapse.
MP for Juaboso and the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, in a statement on Friday called on the Bawumia-led Economic Management Team to instruct the Minister of Finance to immediately release all outstanding funds to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“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,” Akandoh stated. “This fund is bankrupt, to say the least.”
Akandoh condemned the implementation of the Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act in 2017, which he claims has diverted crucial funds meant for the NHIS to other projects like 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.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, had earlier indicated on JoyNews’ AM show that the authority was still awaiting fund releases from the Ministry of Finance since his appointment on February 28, 2024.
Despite his assertions of the NHIA’s robust financial position, the Minority remains sceptical, stressing the inconsistency in his statements given the lack of funds.
The Minority also emphasized 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).
The side, however, accused the Ministry of habitual delays, causing significant operational challenges for the NHIS.
“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,” Akandoh stated.
“We will not relent in our oversight responsibility of holding this government accountable. Ensuring that the needs of the average Ghanaian are met, including health, promptly according to our statutes is our highest priority,” the Ranking assured.