PHFAG Threaten To Withdraw Their Services To Patients On The NHIS Scheme

The president of the Private Health Association of Ghana, Mr. Samuel Boakye has maintained that their salaries have been withheld from March 2021 till date and are threatening that if their demands are not met, they would have to stop treating patients on the National Health Insurance Scheme to save their businesses from collapse.

The Private Health Association of Ghana is a body of private owned clinics, CHPS compounds, maternity homes, and other health service providers usually based in the rural areas in Ghana.

In an interview on Plan B FM, with Bohyeba Afriyie, Mr. Boakye intimated that, they get the drugs and medical materials like gauze, bandages, syringes, gloves, POP, disinfectants and many others from pharmaceutical companies on credit to enhance their operations and they need the money to pay their debts.

He stated that some of these service providers tend to apply for loans to help them acquire the needed materials, but since their payments have been withheld, they haven’t been able to pay back and the interest rates on these loans keep rising.

They are drowning with debts and they are at the point where they can no longer bear it. They have tried reaching out to the sector ministry severally and the only response they keep receiving is the assurance of “next week” which never comes. He also mentioned that, this body of health workers contribute about 40% to the country and if they fail to keep operating, the country loses their contribution and the unemployment rates will increase.

They are so unhappy with the turn of events because they have other responsibilities like water bills, electricity bills, workers’ salaries, taxes, SSNIT, etc and the delays in payment are a complete setback to them. He also mentioned that, they have tried reaching out to the Minister of Health but their efforts to meet and have a discussion with him have so far proved futile and they wouldn’t even be surprised if the minister is not previewed to their grievances. “

“I wouldn’t want us to get to the stage where we can’t treat patients with the NHIS only, a lot goes into health care and we need these funds to keep running,” he said.