National health insurance scheme is not collapsing – NHIA refutes claim

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has rejected claims that the health insurance scheme (NHIS) is on the verge of collapsing.

It follows media reports that the NHIS is not receiving the full amount of the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) thereby depriving healthcare providers of their rightful claims.

However, a statement issued by the NHIA said the allegations are baseless, adding that the scheme has consistently honoured its financial obligation for the past two years.

“The National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) management has taken notice of a story published on Ghanaweb.com on the 22nd November 2023, with the tagline, “NHIS almost collapsing, stay off the NHI levy – Dormaahene says as he threatens legal action.”

“We, however, strongly disapprove of the media narrative that seeks to create an impression of a collapsing NHIS. The NHIA has consistently paid healthcare facilities an average of One Hundred and Fifty Million Ghana Cedis (GHS150 Million) every Thirty (30) days especially over the past two years,” the statement said.

Read full statement below:

The National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) management has taken notice of a story published on Ghanaweb.com on the 22 November 2023, with the tagline, “NHIS almost collapsing, stay off the NHI levy – Dormaahene says as he threatens legal action”.

The said story was projected that Dormaahene Oseadeyo Agyeman Badu II bemoaned the current situation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The highly revered Chief demonstrated concern and a dedication to the long-term viability of the Scheme, for which the management of the NHIA is very grateful and appreciative. His strong plea for the government to leave the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) alone and provide it to the NHIA to bolster its functions—particularly the processing of claims for healthcare providers—is warranted.

While management appreciates Osagyefo’s call for the government to give the Scheme the full amount of the NHIL collected, we would like to address the erroneous impression that the reportage created, suggesting that the Scheme is on the verge of collapse because the NHIA is not receiving the full amount of the NHI levy, therefore depriving healthcare providers of their rightful claims. It is imperative to put on record that no government during the Fourth Republic has ever provided the NHIA with all the NHIL collected albeit enshrined in law – a situation that can be improved upon.

We however strongly disapprove of the media narrative that seeks to create an impression of a collapsing NHIS. The NHIA has consistently paid healthcare facilities an average of One Hundred and Fifty Million Ghana Cedis (GHS150 Million) every Thirty (30) days especially over the past two years.

A phenomenon that has not occurred this frequently since the inception of the Scheme some twenty years ago.

Evidence of monthly claims payment can be found on the website (www.nhis.gov.gh/payments). We wish to state unequivocally that the impression created by the said story is inaccurate and unfortunate.

We hereby encourage the media to find out the real situation that exists in our healthcare facilities and not to paint a picture that is at a considerable distance from the truth. Millions of Ghanaians continue to depend on the NHIS to provide access to healthcare.

Signed: Corporate Affairs Directorate, NHIA