The National Health Insurance Authority says it is ready to implement the one time premium policy but is awaiting directions from government. “The NHIA is ready to implement one time premium when it comes but it remains with government to determine what date it should start and how much people will have to pay,” Communications Manager at the NHIA, Dr Nii Annan Adjetey told Joy News’ Sammy Darko in an interview. The one-time premium was a key campaign promise of the NDC whilst in opposition, pledging it would implement the policy when voted into power. After almost four years in power there appears to be some feet dragging in the implementation of the policy. The opposition New Patriotic Party has also been ambivalent on the matter- accusing the government of failing to fulfill its own campaign promise of implementing policy whilst arguing strenuously that the one-time premium will be the harbinger for the collapse of the National Health Insurance Scheme. With barely six months to go for the next elections, the NHIA insists it is ready to go with the one-time premium policy. Asked what amount subscribers are supposed to pay when the one-time premium policy comes into effect, Dr Nii Annan Adjetey said the figures would have to be provided by government. “We can’t give any numbers and then government comes and puts out another figure. We will be confusing the public. Let’s be patient, wait for the government and give the go ahead and declare what amount should be the premium that people pay for one-time [policy].” He however dismissed assertions that the NHIS is dying a slow death. He blamed service providers for some of the challenges the Authority is facing, adding, the NHIA is contemplating taking action against providers who violate the service code. Dr Adjetey said the NHIS in Ghana is model in the sub region with other countries coming to learn how it is implemented.