Accra, Jan. 20, GNA - The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) on Wednesday commended Former President John Agyekum Kufuor for his boldness in establishing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). "This social programme shall go down in the history of Ghana as one of the most important pro-poor policies. Former President Kufuor deserves commendation for his boldness," Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa stated at a CPP press conference in Accra on the theme; "How the CPP will do it: Health Sector Policy Direction".

The Former Director General of Ghana Health Service (GHS) noted: "The former government deserves recognition for not only establishing NHIS but adding on the levy and contributions from Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributors."

Prof. Akosa who is the CPP Shadow Cabinet Member for Health noted some financial bottlenecks in Act 630, adding: "The law however, recognising the inadequacy of the funding, mandated the NHIA Council to find other innovative mechanisms for increasing the funding. "To date I have not heard of any new avenues for increasing funds". However, he identified the exclusion of the treatment of certain diseases on the basis of cost as one of the greatest limitations of the NHIS ".I can most certainly appreciate excluding cosmetic surgery of all types but not common diseases such as chronic kidney and liver diseases and cancers.

"What should happen, instead, is to agree with the experts on what will constitute the minimum package of treatment and seek partnerships with known non-governmental organisations operating in the field for added support. "Through the support of the NHIS all regional and sub-regional hospitals can start dialysis for chronic kidney diseases and relieve patients of having to travel to the few centres in Ghana at enormous cost when for most of them, it was the failure of our health system that led to the diseases. "If only all primary school children had been given Penicillin V tablets to get rid of the bacterium that causes sore throats and skin infections and the population was properly educated on herbal concoctions, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease will be greatly reduced. Let not poor innocent Ghanaians be made to pay for the failure of our health systems," he added. On the one-time premium payment promised by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in its Election 2008 manifesto, Prof Akosa said "The desire to implement it has not helped. Many people are waiting for the implementation." The CPP, therefore, urged President John Evans Atta Mills, to institute an Independent Review into the 'One time Premium Payment' for the NHIS.

"It is not financially sustainable. You should not allow the NHIS to collapse under your watch Mr President. It is too important to allow political expediency to prevail," Prof. Akosa stressed. He explained that, "It is indeed sad that for a system whose financial position continues to be shaky and have had to cancel investments in the health care delivery system, it is not tackling the difficult task of moving from house to house to collect premiums and educate the public but taking the easier route.

"If all the 8.4 million people paid even the lowest acceptable premium of GH¢7.20, the total amount that will be realised will be GH¢60.48 million per annum but if for purposes of ease, the premium is frozen at GH¢10.00 for the life time of this Parliament till 2012, the NHIA will get GH¢84 million in 2011 and in 2012. A lot can be done with that money to ease the suffering of many of our people". Prof Akosa said the CPP would, therefore, on assumption of office agree a reasonable fee per year that would be fixed for the life time of the Parliament 2013 to 2016. "Premiums shall be collected annually and all Ghanaians shall be expected to be a member of one of the three types of Health Insurance in Ghana. "A Fund Manager shall be appointed through due process to invest the NHIS funds and with it a Board of Trustees to oversee the investments. The NHIA will then have to focus on the core mandate of regulation. "Cash and Carry will indeed be abolished. If you do not belong to any of the three types of Health Insurance in Ghana you shall not be seen at a public health facility. You will be asked to go to any of the private facilities," he added.