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 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.
Others are a percentage from the oil revenues, health tax such as cigarette, alcohol and sugar and a portion of the communication revenues are areas considered as an additional source of funding to resource the NHIS.
This was disclosed by the Regional Director of the NHIS Sebastian Alagpulinsa during the Mid-year performance review meeting held at the In -Service Training Center of the Ghana Health Service GHS in the Upper East Region.
The aim of the second quarter review meeting sort to critically examined 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”.
Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Regional Manager of NHIS Mr. Alagpulinsa 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 Mr. Alagpulinsa, the NHIS intervention of easy access to healthcare is to ensure that people are healthy.
It covers about 95% of disease conditions such as outpatient and inpatient services, oral health, maternal care and emergencies.
He hinted 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, significantly improved health-seeking behaviors of people and membership drive which has triggered utilization and brought life expectancy from 57 in 2003 and 2004 to 63 years currently.
Mr. Alagpulinsa said, as at June this year, the region registered Two hundred and thirty-one thousand 961 representing 65% of their set target of Three hundred and fifty-five four thousand 821. 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 for funding.
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
