<<Print>>

A former Health Minister and ranking member on the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Health, Dr. Richard Anane, has stated that the seemingly collapse of the National Health Insurance Scheme and the withdrawal of services to patients by the Christian Health Association of Ghana, is as a result of the misplaced priority and the refusal of government to heed to his advice. In an interview with Peacfmonline.com, the representative of the people of Nhyiaeso in the Ashanti Region explained that he serves on the committee of health which ensure that the health of Ghanaians are protected. �...Having served as a Minister of Health and in whose tenure the Scheme was started; I thought it is my duty to make sure the National Health Insurance does not collapse,� he emphasized. Dr. Anane was one of the key discussants in a stake holder forum in 2012, where he made a passionate call on government to consider a 1-1.5% increase in the levy that currently stands at 2.5%. The levy, which directly goes into the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to support the NHIS, has not been increased since the law establishing the NHIA was passed in 2003. Further to his call, he advised that communication of any increase in the levy should be done such that it does not elicit resistance from the public. He opined that the public must be made to understand the essence of the increment. The Nyhiaeso MP was categorical; �call it NHIL, let the people know that it is for their health,� and the complaints will be minimal. Against this advice to the government Dr. Anane believes it was disregarded because of politics, and the recent occurrences with regards to the scheme, Peacefmonline.com sought the view of the former Health Minister, on the state of the national Health Insurance Scheme and what he saw to be going wrong, for him to caution government and the National Health Authority late last year. According to the Law maker, the scheme can only collapse only when the service providers, its clients, as well as the Authority and other stakeholders become distressed of the system. He however added that government would have quickly paid up its debt if it had the money but it is currently cash trapped despite the fact that the populace is being levied. �As to what the money was used for anyone can guess,� he added. Dr. Anane hinted that serious questions would be asked the government during the debate of the budget in parliament, for clarity into monies that cannot be accounted for.