Government has cleared portion of GH₵1.2 billion NHIS debt - Akufo Addo

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has stated that his government has paid off 560 million cedis of the 1.2 billion cedis of debt owed service providers under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Nana Addo said this was done by prudent management in the last six months and with the understanding that the NHIS remained at the core of our health delivery system emphasizing that Ghanaians have a duty to make it work.

President Akufo Addo was speaking at the first session of the 50th congregation and oath swearing and induction for 54 newly graduated doctors of the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences (UCCSMS) at the weekend. They included 31 males and 23 females.

Arrears To Be Settled

He said his government was determined to clear the hurdle of unpaid bills to health care providers.

"I can confidently say that we will settle all the arrears within the next 12 months", he reassured.

He said this year the government is up to date with the payment of claims to health service providers.

President Nana Addo underscored the importance of medical practice and doctors to the well being of Ghanaian saying Ghanaians were not ready to take chances with health care with doctors of doubtful qualification.

He said this was not surprising because good health was fundamental to all we do, adding it was the reason access to health care was a constitutional right.

He emphasized that this constitutional right could only materialize if the medical schools and its allied institutions like the nursing training colleges churned out the required number of competent personnel who would have the confidence of the people.