The National Health Insurance Authority says it is looking for alternative sources of funding to meet the ever increasing financial commitment to service providers. The authority says 65 per cent of Ghanaians currently subscribe to the scheme, adding that the financial cost on the scheme stands at one million Ghana cedis a day. Officials estimate that subscription rate will hit 70 per cent by next year. Acting Head of Strategic and Corporate Affairs, Winfred Agbeyibor, told Luv News that the situation calls for innovative ways of finding resources to enable the scheme to meet demands of subscribers and service providers. Information available to Luv News indicates that claims payment by the NHIA accounts for between 80 and 85 percent of internally- generated funds of health facilities in the country. Mr. Agbeyibor said despite initial challenges, the health insurance scheme is now able to pay claims to service providers within two months of submission. He said after last year’s clinical audit, authorities were taking steps to plug loopholes which resulted in the loss of over 16 million Ghana cedis to the scheme. Despite the challenges, Mr. Agbeyibor was hopeful the scheme would continue to cater for the healthcare for Ghanaians. The NHIA has, meanwhile, rolled out a new policy to make healthcare more easily accessible to subscribers. The product dubbed ‘Capitation’, makes advance payment to service providers in advance for services to subscribers at designated health facilities. The scheme is currently being piloted in the Ashanti Region. Mr. Agyeyibor said mechanisms have been put in place to ensure service providers do not mismanage the funds advanced to them. Story by Elton John Brobbey/Luv News/Kumasi/Ghana