PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF FINANCING HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN THE EAST GONJA DISTRICT THROUGH THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME

Abstract

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana was established by Act, 2003 (Act 650) replaced with the NHIA Act, 2012 (Act 852) with the view to improving financial access of Ghanaians, especially the poor and the vulnerable, to quality equitable basic health care services and to limit out-of-pocket payments at the point of healthcare delivery. This study is to find out the prospects available and challenges of financing healthcare delivery through the National Health Insurance Scheme in the East Gonja District of Northern Region. An unstructured interview was used to elicit information from the key informants. Questionnaire was used to collect information from 150 individuals of the various communities selected. The results show that 93.3% of all respondents were satisfied with the level of care provided by the health facilities and the average distance travelled to reach a facility. Though respondents appreciated the benefits of the Scheme considering the applicable premiums, poverty still remained the major barrier for not joining the Scheme. The scheme provided good physical accessibility to residents. Thus inaccessibility of scheme structures and quality of services provided by the Scheme were not a challenge to the scheme. The Scheme should adopt the use of social and religious event as publicity channels, enhance enrolment of School children. Policy makers should consider expanding of the exempt categories and also add second cycle institutions to the exempt categories or give rebates to encourage enrolment.