The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was established in 2003 to ensure that Ghanaians have equitable access to basic healthcare services. However, over two decades later, the scheme seems to be struggling.
One example comes from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the nation’s largest referral health center. Despite possessing a valid National Health Insurance card, patients are still required to pay for quality healthcare. This was experienced by Cecilia Borden, whose son was involved in an accident and had to be transferred to the hospital for treatment. She was shocked to discover that the Health Insurance did not cover most of the medication needed for her son’s treatment.
Similarly, a pensioner and former staff of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital frequents the hospital for medications and health advice. However, his National Health Insurance card does not cover the cost of most of his medications, forcing him to delay doctor’s appointments until his pension fund hits his account.
In 2022, the National Health Insurance Authority added treatment of four childhood cancers to the NHIS’s Benefit Package, but concerns continue to emerge about the effectiveness of the Scheme and why it no longer covers the costs of some of the most basic diseases.
Patients, like Belinda Quaye, are still experiencing issues with the scheme. Her daughter’s prescribed medications were not covered, and this is a common situation in various parts of the hospital.
The NHIS was intended to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage, however, it is clear that it is not meeting the basic healthcare needs of Ghanaians as intended. These issues need to be addressed to ensure that the scheme is providing the support and assistance that Ghanaians require.
