Takoradi Jan.17 - GNA- The Government would continue to fund health care when the National Health Insurance comes into force, Mr. Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Chief Executive, said on Saturday. He was speaking at a forum organised by the Effia-Kwesimintsim Constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to commemorate its 12th anniversary in Takoradi.

Mr. Nkrumah said the Government would fund about 80 percent of health care delivery to supplement the premiums paid by the public for the Health Insurance Scheme. He said workers have nothing to lose when the government uses two and half percent of their contribution to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for the National Health Insurance Scheme. Mr. Nkrumah said workers would continue to be paid their full SSNIT benefits on retirement and, in addition, have access to medical care whenever they get sick.

Mr. Nkrumah said previous governments attempted to implement health insurance schemes but they could not do so because of lack of political will and commitment. He said the NPP government's determination to implement the health insurance scheme is an indication of its resolve to provide quality health delivery and easy access to health care.

Mr. Kwesi Biney, District Chief Executive for Ahanta West, said many Ghanaians have problem paying their medical bills and that this is particularly the case with retired workers. He said some of the opponents of the health insurance scheme are not contributors to the SSNIT, while others are businessmen who could afford to pay their medical bills. Mr. Biney said workers contribution to the SSNIT covers both retirement benefits and insurance and for this reason, there is nothing wrong with the government using part of their contributions for the health insurance scheme.

Mr. Joe Baidoe -Ansah, Member of Parliament for Effia-Kwesimintsim, spoke about projects undertaken by the government in the constituency. He said over two billion cedis have been spent on educational projects alone and that contract has been awarded for the rehabilitation of roads in the area at a cost of over seven billion cedis. Miss Esther Anyidoho, Western Regional Training Coordinator of the Ghana Health Service, said various methods of health financing have been tried in the country. She said free health care service led to lack of drugs, exodus of medical personnel to neighbouring countries and left medical facilities in a state of disrepair.

Miss Anyidoho said the cash and carry system had led to reduction of patronage of government health facilities, and charging of illegal fees by medical personnel.