The Ministry of Health has described as “misleading” reports that sector minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu has talked down the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as not working.
According to the Ministry, what Mr Agyeman-Manu said at the Ghana Health Service Management Meeting on Tuesday, April 18 in the Ashanti Region was an admonition to the managers of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) through its providers to end the growing tendency of extortion among them.
The Minister, who is also Member of Parliament for Dormaa Central Constituency, had raised concerns that some healthcare providers under the NHIS extort monies from members.
“From the end-users’ point of view, it looks like the Health Insurance is not working as a result of the extortions,” the Health Minister had said.
He further indicated that even though he is a member of the NHIS, he has decided to pay for medical services anytime he visits the hospital.
“This statement is not meant to insinuate that Health Insurance is not working but is an admonition to the Managers of the Ghana Health Service through its providers to end the criminality by every means possible,” the Ministry stated in rejoinder to the reports making rounds about the Minister’s statement.
“The Ministry will continue to remain committed to making quality healthcare delivery accessible across the nation as part of the effort to achieve Universal Health Coverage.”