An Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) organised discussion on the proposed National Health Insurance Council Act of 2001 and the National Health Insurance Company Bill was abandoned on Tuesday, after participants were informed that the documents distributed to participants were old.

This was after many participants expressed reservations about government's management of the bill, noting that the proposed bill contained negative issues that will affect the lives of beneficiaries.

The Deputy Health Minister, Moses Dani Baah claimed that the health ministry was not aware of the two bills tabled for the discussion, adding that a committee is finalising the original policy document and legislative instrument.

That bill will be laid before parliament next month, but none of the major stakeholders has been invited to make any input.

Participants including parliamentarians, health professionals, insurance experts and chiefs expressed their displeasure at the failure of government to seek their professional advice before putting together the policies.

The insurance companies are particularly unhappy about their non-involvement in the policy. Two chiefs from areas where the national health insurance scheme has been implemented for over ten years, in their contribution noted that they were never contacted nor invited to make inputs into the new policy.

It was concluded at the meeting that the decision taken by government on the scheme was not appropriate, saying serious public education needed to be done before the implementation of the scheme.

The Director of Governance of the Institute of Economic Affairs Professor Yaw Saffu says another discussion would be held after the ministry submits the real document.