Health Minister laments over non-acceptance of NHIS card in health facilities

The Minister for Health, Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has complained about the return of the ‘Cash and Carry’ system in most health facilities across the country despite the existence of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He noted that almost all health facilities are not accepting health insurance cards, adding that he has received numerous complaints from the subscribers concerning the treatment they go through at some of these facilities.

Mr Manu noted that even though the scheme covers Cesarean Section (CS), some of the subscribers pay more than GH¢1,000 to be operated on at some facilities.

He described it as “sad” because the scheme was not introduced because of the middle class but the poor people in society. 

Speaking at the maiden Senior Managers of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) meeting in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, on Tuesday, 18 April 2023, he appealed to the head of these facilities to think about the interest of the lower class by accepting the health insurance card.

At the same time, he admitted that the scheme has been delaying payments but all efforts are being made for some funds to be released on time for the running of the facilities. 

In the meantime, “Why should we extort from the poor people?” he asked worryingly. 

Mr Agyeman-Manu also complained about the falsification of the medicine list in most of the health facilities in the country.

He mentioned that the most common fake drug in most of the facilities is oxytocin which is facilitated after child delivery.

Mr Manu revealed that the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is seeking permission from his outfit to name and shame such health facilities in the country.

The minister also bemoaned the rate at which the government is being sued as a result of medical negligence by health workers.