The Minority in Parliament has urged the government to reconsider its plan to scrap the COVID-19 Levy and instead channel its proceeds into supporting the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as the MahamaCares Fund.
This recommendation comes in the wake of heated opposition from New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs regarding a proposal to allocate 20% of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Fund to finance the newly proposed Trust.
Speaking to the press in Parliament on Wednesday, July 23, Ranking Member on the Health Committee, Dr. Ayew Afriyie, argued that maintaining the COVID-19 Levy would provide a more sustainable and dedicated funding stream for the initiative.
He warned that reallocating funds from the NHIA could jeopardize the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), potentially leading to financial strain and public confusion over where to access health services.
“There should be clarity for Ghanaians on where to seek care with the NHIS and where to seek care with the Trust. We object to the NHIA 20% allocation to the Trust, but would the government think about a COVID Levy?
“If the government had promised to repeal the act that establishes the COVID Levy, I think there is nothing wrong with apologising, so that the COVID Levy can be earmarked to support the work of the Trust,” he said.
The MahamaCares Fund is intended to improve access to quality healthcare and provide an alternative avenue for Ghanaians, especially the vulnerable, to receive medical attention.
