The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is not bankrupt, according to its CEO, Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, who has rejected recent claims that the organization is facing financial difficulties.
For years, NHIA service providers and some Ghanaians have expressed frustration over the delayed payment of funds by the NHIA for services rendered. It often takes years for some providers to receive their payments, an issue that has persisted for a significant amount of time.
During a recent press conference held by the Pharmaceuticals Association of Ghana, it was revealed that a patient lost his life at a public hospital due to the unavailability of a crucial medication. This was attributed to the NHIA’s longstanding debt to the pharmaceutical company, which has resulted in the suspension of drug supplies to public hospitals.
However speaking to an Accra-based media, Dr. Aboagye emphasized that the NHIA has a strong financial standing, stating that the authority distributes a substantial amount of between GH₵180 million and GH₵250 million every month. Such a high level of expenditure would be impossible if the NHIA was indeed facing financial insolvency, as alleged.
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“It can never be bankrupt; a scheme paying between one-hundred-and-eighty and two-hundred-and-fifty million can never be bankrupt, but there is also the case that the Ministry of Finance should release the funds to the NHIS: once we have a constant release, then we would not have problems, and it is sustainable,” Dr. Dacosta said.
When questioned about the frequency of funding releases from the Finance Ministry for NHIA operations, Dr. Dacosta Aboagye said “I was conferred about some few weeks ago, but I think…… we are waiting for them to do the releases, but I think they will; the Minister has actually assured me that.”
He added that despite Ghana’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the upcoming election, NHIA’s funding will remain secure ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services for all.
