The Greater Accra Regional Hospital has pledged to eliminate the illegal practice of co-payments, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring that patients under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) receive services without additional charges.
Under NHIS regulations, beneficiaries are not required to make any payments for services and commodities covered by the scheme. However, concerns over unauthorized fees have persisted within the healthcare sector.
The hospital made this commitment last Friday during a visit by the newly appointed Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe. The visit was part of a broader initiative to assess the NHIS’s performance and identify challenges affecting healthcare service delivery.
Dr. Bampoe was accompanied by key NHIA officials, including Mr. Oswald Essuah-Mensah, Acting Director of Corporate Affairs; Dr. Mrs. Ruby Aileen Mensah Annan, Director of Strategic Health Purchasing; Dr. Abigail Nyarko Cudjoe Derkyi-Kwarteng, Acting Director of Claims; Mr. Francis Oti Frempong, Director of Membership and Regional Operations; Dr. Gustav Cruickshank, Director of Financial Accounting; and Dr. Yaw Opoku-Boateng, Director of Quality Assurance.
Speaking during the visit, the hospital’s Managing Director, Dr. Ralph Armah, emphasized that the institution does not support burdening NHIS members with out-of-pocket expenses. However, he explained that financial constraints beyond the hospital’s control had led to the issue of co-payment.
Dr. Armah attributed the challenge to the hospital’s classification as a secondary-level facility by the Ghana Health Service, despite the fact that it provides tertiary-level services. This classification limits the hospital’s ability to recover its full operational costs under the NHIS.
“We have been discussing this issue frequently in hopes of finding a solution,” Dr. Armah stated. “We would appreciate it if the NHIA could facilitate a reclassification of the hospital to a tertiary-level facility, enabling us to recoup our costs fully under the NHIS and reduce financial losses.”
He also highlighted low tariffs and delays in tariff adjustments as additional factors contributing to the co-payment issue, stressing the need for a sustainable resolution.
In response, Dr. Bampoe assured hospital officials that the NHIA is committed to working with all stakeholders to resolve the co-payment challenge in line with the government’s vision of strengthening public confidence in the NHIS.
“The NHIA remains dedicated to restoring trust in the NHIS and ensuring Universal Health Coverage for all,” Dr. Bampoe affirmed.
Mr. Essuah-Mensah, the Acting Director of Corporate Affairs at NHIA, acknowledged that co-payment remains one of the biggest threats to the integrity of the NHIS. He reiterated the Authority’s commitment to addressing the issue, describing it as a priority.
“Co-payment undermines the credibility of the Scheme,” Mr. Essuah-Mensah stated. “It’s crucial that we collaborate with the hospital to resolve this issue and protect the NHIS’s reputation.”
Dr. Bampoe’s visit forms part of his broader stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at gathering firsthand insights into NHIS operations and strengthening partnerships with healthcare providers. The NHIA remains committed to enhancing the scheme’s sustainability and ensuring accessible healthcare services for all insured members.
