News:
July 1, 2021
Parliament has expressed worry about the amount of money being expended on information management systems by the National Health Insurance Authority, indicating that the development if not controlled would affect the core function of paying for health services delivery for beneficiaries of the scheme.
At the passage of the formula for the disbursement of the National Health Insurance Fund on the floor of the House on Wednesday June 30, 2021, the Committee of the Whole, in a report said “the amount of GH¢205 Million allocated for Management Information Systems, the GH¢12 Million to be used to upgrade the Oracle ERP Applications and for the renewal of Oracle License as well as the GH¢4 Million for ISO Certification” was outrageous even though the allocations are aimed at enhancing the security of the NHIA’s ICT platform and also improve upon the technology.
The House as thus recommended that the Health Committee be directed to embark on a study tour to inspect NHIA’s ICT installations/facilities; interact with the Management or Officials of the Authority, particularly those in charge of ICT to understand the reason behind the huge expenditures on ICT and also the need for them, and report to the House.
CAPPING
The House was also not happy about the capping on NHIA, especially when it has over the years advised that “all the Health Sector agencies including NHIA, should be exempted from the Capping Policy but it appears the recommendation has not had any consideration from the Government.” adding that there is every indication that NHIA has some financial difficulties and must not be constrained further by Capping.
“The Committee expressed worry about the Capping on NHIA because in its opinion the amount involved is huge and could be used to deal with some of the financial constraints of the Authority.”
According to the Committee, out of Three Billion, Eighteen Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Four Ghana Cedis (GH¢3,018,850,1 64.00) being revenue to the NHIA from two revenue sources; taxes on domestic goods and services and SSNIT contributions, “expenditure in respect of NHIF is One Billon, Nine Hundred and Three Million, Nine Hu Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty-Four Ghana Cedis (GH¢1,903,907,554.00) and that is what the Authority will be allowed to spend, The difference between the expected revenue and the allowable expenditure indicated afore is, One Billion, One Hundred and Fourteen Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Ten Ghana Cedis (GH¢1,114,942,610.00) and that is the amount by which NHIA has been capped. It translates into 36.9% of the expected revenue”, the report said.
Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com