Ghana Medial Association calls for more education on NHIS Capitation
The President of Ghana Medial Association, Dr Kwabena Opoku-Adusei, has called for more education on the National Health Insurance Scheme Capitation, which has become a controversial issue in Ashanti Region.
He was of the view that lack of education had resulted in the controversy and misunderstanding between the Society of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners (SPMDP) in the Region and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday , Dr Opoku-Adusei expressed concern about the low rate regarding the Capitation and said “the new rates are too low that they need to be reviewed and increased upwards with immediate effect.”
NHIS Capitation, which took off on January 1, 2012 in the Ashanti Region, has generated a lot of controversies and concerns that raised by the SPMDP, which has also threatened not to be part of the implementation of NHIS Capitation.
The NHIS Capitation among other objectives is to strengthen the referral system, improve the quality of health care delivery through provider-subscriber bonding, ensure advance payment of claims to service providers, and improve financial sustainability of the scheme.
The introduction of the programme followed detection of abuse by subscribers and providers in audit carried out across the country in NHIS accredited health facilities.
Dr Opoku-Aduse said the rate for the treatment of a patient (GH¢12) under the old system has been increased to GH¢1.70 under capitation, which is ridiculous.
He called for an immediate look at the innovation since it could affect negatively the financial situation of various health institutions and provision of quality of care.
Dr Opoku-Aduse explained that the GMA would this year improve on their services to their respected clients, ensure the integration of herbal medicine care into the orthodox system.
Asked whether the GMA would not engage in strike this year, the GMA President said “Though we have not fully exhausted our concerns with government, we will use strike as the last resort”.
He said the GMA had some few salary issues to settle with Government and “as you know an army does not march on an empty stomach and what is due us should be given us”.
Dr Opoku-Adusei urged Government to initiate pragmatic policies to improve the health of Ghanaians.
Source: GNA