The much hyped campaign promise of the ruling National Democratic to implement a one-time premium under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), after years of no show, may materialized in 2012, if what promised by the 2012 budget statement is executed.
Presenting the 2012 budget statement to Parliament Wednesday, Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor said one-time premium forms part of the NDC government’s commitment to continue the implementation of a number of pro-poor intervention programmes that will provide equal opportunities and improvement in the well-being of Ghanaians.
The scope of the numerous social intervention programmes, he emphasized, will be expanded to benefit a greater number of vulnerable people in the society.
“In order to accelerate the achievement of universal health coverage, government will commence the implementation of the one-time premium payment policy under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).”
Dr Duffuor was hopeful the review of the NHIS law would result in a major restructuring of the scheme at the district, regional and national levels.
Touting the government’s achievements under the health sector, the Finance Minister said to ensure adequate coverage, the Ministry of Health collaborated with the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare where the very poor in society were identified for registration under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
“Major achievements in the area of claims management were made and this included auditing of 28,925,293 claims and the recovering of GH¢471,215 and GH¢755,582 from services and medicines respectively,” he claimed.
The Minister also mentioned the establishment of 276 Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Zones.
Minority Spokesperson on Health, Dr Richard Anane, told Joy News Dzifa Bampoh that the government is only trying to play politics with the NHIS.
He is at a loss why the government put it into the budget, knowing very well that implementing the one-time premium in Ghana is impossible.
He said even though government had made it a campaign promise prior to the 2008 elections, it was advised that the new scheme would create a problem for the NHIS, and thought the government would have taken a cue and done its home work.
“I only think that the government has only shown this in its last budget just because it made a campaign promise, not because it is a practicable alternative. We believe that the health of the people of this nation should not be taken to the platform of politics. It is serious and we want the government to take particular note of it and to do the right [thing].”
He maintained that of all the countries with an insurance scheme, only Australia attempted the one-term premium, and though it is a well endowed country, he said the implementation failed.
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201111/76610.php
From: Ghana l Isaac Essel l Myjoyonline.com
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