Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Hospital and Kabsad Hospital have taken commendable steps by refunding money that was unlawfully collected from National Health Insurance clients. These clients had unfortunately been compelled to make payments prior to receiving necessary medical treatment at these hospitals.
The refund initiative commenced on November 16, 2023, with West Hospital, One Heart Health Centre, and Global Medical Laboratory leading the way as the first health facilities to return the funds to the affected individuals. It’s worth noting that these facilities were among the six hospitals identified in the Tamale Metropolis involved in the wrongful collection of money from NHIS subscribers.
This positive action not only rectifies the financial injustice faced by the victims but also reflects a commitment to ethical healthcare practices. It underscores the importance of holding institutions accountable and ensuring fair and transparent access to healthcare services for all.
The victims affected by the unlawful collection of money from Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Hospital and Kabsad Hospital have been reimbursed varying amounts, with individuals receiving sums such as Ghc380, Ghc400, Ghc180, among others. The intervention of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) management in the Tamale Metropolis facilitated the successful refund process.
This corrective action follows a monitoring and evaluation exercise conducted earlier this year by the Tamale Metropolitan NHIS among accredited hospitals within the Metropolis.
During this assessment, it was revealed that certain facilities were illegally imposing charges on their clients, prompting the necessary steps to rectify the situation and ensure the financial restitution of affected individuals. This underscores the significance of ongoing oversight to maintain the integrity of healthcare services and uphold the principles of fair and accessible healthcare for all.
Several healthcare facilities, including Tamale West Hospital, One Heart Health Centre, Global Medical Laboratory, Tamale Central Hospital, SDA Hospital, and Kabsad Hospital, have been implicated in fraudulent practices. These facilities were discovered to be unlawfully collecting money from active National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) subscribers who sought their services.
The exposure of this malpractice came to light on October 31 of this year when Mr. Ahmed Abdul-Ganiyu, the Tamale Metropolitan Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) manager, brought attention to these facilities for charging patients covered under NHIS illegal fees.
This revelation underscores the importance of vigilant oversight to safeguard the rights and financial well-being of healthcare consumers and maintain the integrity of the NHIS system.
The revelation about the growing trend of out-of-pocket payments demanded from members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was disclosed during a stakeholder’s engagement. Mr. Abdul Ganiyu, the Tamale Metropolitan Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) manager, addressed the media after overseeing the disbursement of refunded money.
He reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that any funds taken illegally from NHIS subscribers would be promptly refunded to them.
Following the reimbursement process, some of the patients expressed their gratitude to the NHIS management for their intervention. Previously skeptical about the effectiveness of the NHIS card due to the behavior of hospital staff, these individuals now feel enlightened.
They expressed confidence in challenging any inappropriate financial demands when seeking medical services, thanks to the support provided by the NHIS management. This underscores the importance of transparent and ethical practices in the healthcare sector, restoring confidence in the NHIS system among its subscribers.
Source: Marzuuq | Ghana360news.com
