The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has debunked reports that it is adopting some ad hoc programmes to revitalise the scheme, which they claimed is in dire need of funds. Eric Ametor-Quarmyne, Deputy Director, Strategy and Corporate Affairs, told Myjoyonline.com that it is rather unfortunate that people would misconstrue the noble drives being initiated by the NHIA to enrol majority, if not all, Ghanaians unto the scheme. “The scheme cannot be broke. It is financed 97% by the government of Ghana, so if the scheme is broke then the government of Ghana must be broke. It is as simple like that.” He said the premium being paid by subscribers only constitutes 3% of the total amount paid to service providers and what is actually needed to run the scheme in general. He said the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is currently “doing well” with a total of 15,555,816 persons registered under the scheme nationwide as at 30th June 2010 with the Ashanti Region recording the highest number of subscribers . The regional breakdown was as follows: Ashanti - 3,551,867; Brong Ahafo - 1,817,948; Central - 1,237,044; Eastern - 1,700,847; Greater Accra - 1,825,778; Northern - 1,588,485; Upper East - 697,662, Upper West – 621, 613; Volta – 1,099, 255 and Western – 1,415,317. Mr Ametor-Quarmyne said the NHIA intensified its awareness campaign to get more people on board because “it is our mandate to get every Ghanaian, and every person resident in Ghana onto the national Health Insurance platform” as enshrined under Act 650, the law that established the scheme. “It is in the interest of every Ghanaian to be part of the National Health Insurance Scheme, since we all pay VAT and we all pay various taxes. Those on Social Security contribute 2½ per cent on monthly basis to the scheme, so why should they be outside the scheme?” He said, currently, the scheme is targeting the churches, mosques and other places to “get as many people as possible to register or to renew their cards.” Mr. Ametor-Quarmyne further allayed fears being harboured by contributors of SSNIT that they would not receive their full benefits upon retirement. He said the 2½ deduction from their SSNIT contributions is an amount “borrowed” by the government and assured that “contributors will get the exact benefit when they retire”. He however did not disclose if government will pay interest on the amount it borrows from SSNIT contribute. Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana