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The Minority caucus of Parliament has urged the government to make immediate payment of money owed service providers under the NHIS to save the scheme from total collapse.

The Minority made the statement at a press conference this morning which was addressed by Hon Kwabena Mintah Akandoh MP for Juaboso and Minority Ranking Member on the Committee on Health of Parliament.

According to Hon Akandoh contrary to a statement by President Nana Akufo-Addo that the government has cleared all debts owed the NHIS, the government rather owes NHIS service providers about 9 to 14 months.

He said NHIS service providers are cash strapped and threatening to withdraw their services if they are not paid money owed them.

According to Hon Akandoh whilst the NHIS seriously needs funds for its operation, the government is rather denying the scheme of much-needed funds in the name of earmarked funds capping and realignment Act 2017 ( Act 947 ) which is applicable to NHIS which is not the best for the survival of the scheme.

The Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHFAoG) and the Health Insurance Service Providers Association of Ghana (HISPAG), on Monday, urged the government to ensure the urgent reimbursement of all monies owed them.

They said effective March 1, 2020, the providers would be compelled to withdraw some services that continued to create financial burden especially those that were not within their control.    

They, therefore, advised the public and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cardholders to carry cash alongside their cards to pay for the cost of any service that the providers may not be able to offer immediately.

Mr. Frank Torblu, the Executive Director of the Health Insurance Service Providers Association of Ghana, who addressed a joint press conference in Accra, said the advice to the government was based on the current pressure being mounted on their members by their creditors.

According to him, an alleged pronouncement by a Minister of State at a private television station, claiming that the government owed NHI Service providers only three months arrears, had created a situation for the Chamber of Pharmacy to cut the supply of medicines and other medical consumables to Member hospital, clinics and maternity homes nationwide.

Mr. Torblu said contrary to this the NHIS owed service providers between nine to 14 months which, covered arrears from 2018 for some providers, and 2019 for others.