The Minority in Parliament has urged the Bawumia-led Economic Management Team, to direct the Finance Minister to release all pending payments to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). 

This urgent appeal aims to prevent the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from falling into further financial distress.

In a statement signed by the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minority emphasised the critical situation facing the NHIS. 

“The Minority, therefore, calls on the Bawumia-led Economic Management Team to direct the Minister responsible for Finance to release and transfer all outstanding payments to the National Health Insurance Fund by close of the week to prevent the scheme from being imperilled due to lack of funds,” Mr. Akandoh stated.

The Minority also demanded full compliance with the National Health Insurance Act (Act 852), citing severe consequences for non-compliance. 

“We urge the Minister responsible for Finance to fully comply with the provisions of the National Health Insurance Act (Act 852), as non-compliance has clear consequences outlined in the Act,” Mr. Akandoh added.

Highlighting the dire financial state of the NHIS, Mr. Akandoh revealed that the scheme has not received any financial releases from the Ministry of Finance this year. 

Their investigation at the Bank of Ghana showed that the National Health Insurance Fund holds less than GHS 1.0 million. 

“This gross and wanton neglect has driven the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) into a precarious financial state of comatose requiring intensive care services to save it from impending and inevitable collapse,” he remarked.

Mr. Akandoh expressed the Minority's outrage at what they see as the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration's blatant disregard for the NHIS's sustainability, resulting in its current bankrupt position.

 “In fact, the NHIA is bankrupt because it has not received any releases from the Ministry of Finance this year. In addition, our checks at the Bank of Ghana show that the National Health Insurance Fund has less than GHS 1.0 million. This is a fund that is bankrupt, to say the least,” the minority added.