It is emerging that the Ministry of Finance owes eight months of revenue arrears to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The arrears in this period amount to approximately GH₵2.4 billion. This represents arrears of contributions the Finance Ministry has failed to release to the NHIS from July 2023 to February 2024.
The revelation came up at a meeting convened by Parliament’s Committee on Health on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. The committee met with the Finance Ministry, Health Ministry, the NHIS, and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to resolve issues resulting in the delay in payment.
The scheme has been under financial constraints in this fiscal year, making it difficult to honour its financial obligation to its service providers. In the closed-door meeting, the Health Committee of Parliament urged the government to liaise with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to find ways of clearing the arrears of the scheme.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Chairman of the Health Committee, Dr Afriyie Ayew said the initiation of a road map was reassuring. The Minority is peeved by what they believe is an attempt by Vice President, Dr Mahamaudu Bawumia to take credit for the free Dialysis care of patients under 18 and over 60 years. According to the Minority, it baffles their minds for Dr Bawumia to go around with the announcement of the same as if it was something initiated by his government.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
