It has been discovered by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) that four (4) health facilities in the Upper West Region, which are credentialed by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), have been illegally charging fees.
This comes after a number of complaints were received from the public, and the NHIA conducted an investigation which confirmed the malpractice.
According to the NHIA, the credentialed health facilities comprising two (2) public, one (1) private and one Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) were taking illegal charges for service including medicines, investigation and infusion.
The four facilities are Upper West Regional Hospital, Lawra Municipal Hospital, Babile Polyclinic and St. Theresa Hospital.
The NHIA on January 02, 2024 wrote to the Ministry of Health to caution the four health facilities including several others across the country.
“This practice is an affront to section 35 (1) of Act 852 and point 16.0 on “Forbidden Conduct” as detailed in the Master Provider Service Agreement signed with the Authority,” the letter stated.
“Continuous engagement in this practice would lead to the suspension of the facility in future,” the letter added.
In a related development, a former Assembly Member for Dupari Electoral Area in the Wa East district, Ahmed Nurideen Ajansumah has petitioned the Overlord of the Wala Traditional Council, to intervene and stop illegal payments in NHIA credentialed healthcare facilities in the Upper West Region.
He said despite “several efforts made by the Authority in addressing the phenomenon, illegal payments continues to be a significant challenge that impacts negatively on healthcare services provided to the community members.”
Mr Ajansumah noted that the persistence of illegal payment continues to pose a huge threat to the sustainability of the scheme and the well-being of the people it serves.
“Your influence and support as the esteemed overlord of the Wala Traditional Kingdom hold significant weight, and your involvement could greatly contribute to the eradication of illegal payments in our health facilities,” he added.
Please find the NHIS warning letter and the Mr Ajansumah's petition to the Overlord of the Wala Traditional Council below.