The presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, says he will prioritise the restoration of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) if his party emerges victorious in the upcoming December elections.

Speaking to church leaders in Tema on Tuesday, March 12, Mr Mahama expressed dissatisfaction with the current government's handling of the NHIS, citing neglect that has led to a decline in its effectiveness.

He underscored the NDC's commitment to ensuring that the NHIS operates efficiently to deliver quality healthcare to all citizens.

Mr Mahama criticised the alleged lack of funding from the current administration, which he argued has resulted in NHIS subscribers facing challenges in accessing healthcare services without additional charges.

“The basic problem is that the NHIS has almost collapsed. This government is not paying money into the scheme. And once the scheme doesn’t get money, they also cannot pay the facilities for the claims that they make. And so they are forced to charge the patients when the patients come."

“Or else, all they will do is give you a folder, you go and see the doctor. That is the only service you get. For everything else, you have to go outside and pay with cash to get. And so it looks like we are coming back to the cash and carry days. And so what we will do is we will strengthen the NHIS again so that it can give the services that it was designed to give.”