The Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHFAG) has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), to clear outstanding payments to service providers or they will revert to the cash and carry system.

Minority members of Parliament's Health Committee on Monday raised concerns about the financial state of the National Health Insurance Scheme, claiming it is currently bankrupt.

The minority caucus, led by its ranking member, has raised the alarm over the dire financial state of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

According to the caucus, the NHIA has not received any funds from the Ministry of Finance this year and checks with the Bank of Ghana indicate that the scheme holds less than GHȼ1 million.

Speaking on JoyFM, Midday, Vice President of the Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana, Samuel Boakye Donkor, said that from June 7, they will not honour NHIS cards if they are not paid.

“In fact, we are really struggling to survive; we do not have money to buy drugs, pay salaries, buy light, or do anything else at the facility. We are struggling, and we are pleading with the government.

“They paid us up to October and November last year. We plead with the government that the government should release money for NHIA for them to pay us. Otherwise, from June 7th, we cannot work with NHIA card bearers anymore. This is a serious matter; it is getting out of hand.

“Healthcare is really collapsing under NHIA, and we cannot afford to let it collapse. We have to survive it; therefore, the government should release money for us so that we can revive and work to take care of Ghanaians.”

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show on May 24, the Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dacosta Aboagye, painted a picture of a robust financial position of the NHIA, indicating that the authority pays out between GH₵180 million and GH₵250 million monthly and that it was however awaiting releases since he assumed office early this year.

He insisted that such a level of expenditure would not be possible if the NHIA was indeed bankrupt.

Dr Aboagye stated that. “It can never be bankrupt; a scheme paying between 180 and 250 can never be bankrupt, but there is also the case that the Ministry of Finance should release the funds to the NHIS; once we have constant releases, then we would not have problems, and it is sustainable.”