What is it about?
In Ghana, "out-of-pocket" costs for medical care were reduced in 2003 with the implementation of the National Health Insurance System (NHIS). While playing a crucial role in advancing universal health coverage, concerns regarding the pro-poor policy's financial viability persist after more than ten years of implementation. So, we undertook this study to get opinions from stakeholders on how to increase the financial viability of NHIS operations. Participants acknowledged that the NHIS is now unable to fulfill its budgetary commitments. The implementation of capitation as a provider payment method was first recommended by the stakeholders as a way to reduce the risk of provider fraud and safeguard against political meddling. Second, they suggested that speedy disbursements of particular statutory deductions and taxes for NHIS providers might minimize delays.
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Why is it important?
In order to increase governance and transparency that influences the scheme's budget and the development of services to include preventive and promotional services and cancers, the scheme may be able to attain UHC provided it is shielded from political interference.
Perspectives
It was a great pleasure conducting this research as it has co-authors with whom I have had long standing collaborations. This article provides evidence on how to ensure sustainable and propel Ghana towards universal health civerage
Philip Tabong
University of Ghana
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Positioning the National Health Insurance for financial sustainability and Universal Health Coverage in Ghana: A qualitative study among key stakeholders, PLOS One, June 2021, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253109.
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