Asutifi North MP, NHIA step up fight against illegal charges on NHIS subscribers

Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, has joined forces with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to intensify efforts to eliminate illegal charges imposed on subscribers of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by some healthcare providers in the constituency. This initiative was the focus of a stakeholder engagement held at Kenyasi in the Ahafo Region. Mr. Addo expressed concern over the increasing number of complaints from NHIS subscribers who are allegedly being charged unauthorised fees despite holding valid health insurance cards. He described the practice as worrying and said it informed his decision to support the NHIA financially to organise the engagement.

According to Mr. Addo, bringing stakeholders together is one of the most effective ways of identifying root causes and finding practical solutions. He added that addressing illegal charges would also help restore public confidence in the scheme and encourage more people to enrol. The Asutifi North District Manager of the NHIA, Owusu Berchie, commended the MP for supporting the initiative. Mr. Berchie stated that the engagement provided an opportunity for stakeholders to share ideas on why some health facilities continue to demand illegal payments from NHIS subscribers and propose measures to eliminate the practice. He acknowledged that unauthorised charges remain a major challenge.