Rescue NHIS from collapse – Presby Church tells Gov’t

The Presbyterian Church of Ghana has called on Government to do all within its power to rescue the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from total collapse due to its immense contribution towards health provision in the country.

The Church noted with concern the myriads of challenges that had plagued the NHIS, which was introduced to replace the “cash and carry” system, which made it impossible for many to receive health care.

In a communiqué issued by the General Assembly of the Church and read by Rt Rev Professor Emmanuel Martey on Monday, it noted with concern the severe strain under which the NHIS found itself thus defeating the purpose for which it was established, adding that holders of the card found it difficult to access healthcare.

“The hope was that the NHIS would be improved upon by successive Governments to make it more effective, remove the bottle necks that plagued it and bring many Ghanaians under its operation, however, PCG has noted with concern the severe strain under which the NHIS finds itself”, he said.

He noted that although Government had taken a lot of initiatives to address health issues in the country, not much had been done concerning human resource base of health institutions.

“We are informed that about 90 percent of newly posted doctors did not report to their new stations last year and reasons given included discriminatory postings and  unattractive conditions of services”, he said.

He said the general atmosphere in the hospitals, which included congestion at wards, old furniture, and outdated equipment to tired, angry and depressed nurses, doctors and attendants making the hospitals most dreaded places for people.

The Moderator urged government to consider the issue of incentive to health workers seriously to encourage their postings to rural areas and provide modern equipment and techniques of healthcare delivery.

Source: GNA