The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has charged government to halt what it believes could be the start of the collapse of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
It comes after the Chamber of Pharmacy said it can no longer operate on a credit basis due to inflation and the fast depreciation of the cedi, among others.
The GMA says this decision by the Chamber to sell drugs only on a cash basis is worrying and could eventually lead to the collapse of the NHIS.
In an interview with JoyNews on Thursday, the President of the Association, Dr Frank Serebour, noted that the situation would further create more problems.
“Essentially, what it would mean is that there would be a shortage of medicines in the hospitals because the hospitals cannot procure and if they are not able to procure the medicines and there is a shortage when you go there, you won’t get the drug.
"So there are two options; either the drug is written for you to go and buy outside - you may have to buy from your pocket.
“And then one key factor, if you lack emergency drugs, what would happen is that, most often than not, by the time the patient even goes to get the drug and come back or a relative comes in, you may have recorded either a very bad morbidity or mortality,” he highlighted.
According to him, “it is quite worrying and if we are not careful, this is the beginning of the collapse of the National Health Insurance Scheme.”
The Ghana National Chamber of Pharmacy (GNCoP) announced earlier that, given the current economic challenges, the group has decided to provide medicines solely on a cash basis.
“All transactions with immediate effect shall be on a cash basis until the economy stabilises,” President of the Pharmaceutical Importers and Wholesalers Association, William Adum Addo stated at a press conference on Thursday.
Dr Frank Serebour believes this is a wake-up call to authorities including the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Ministry of Health and the government to intervene.
He urged them to intervene urgently to avert what he described as a looming disaster.
“I am not an economist but I believe something has to happen now; otherwise, the rate at which we are going, this situation that we are seeing as developing is something that if we are not careful we are going to witness some form of a disaster that is akin to what happened on the Titanic Vessel.
"It is important that we look at it critically and carefully because it is more or less like cash and carry that is coming.
Latest Stories
-
Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction overturned
3 mins -
Experts to shape more equitable digital future at DRIF 24
12 mins -
Bright Simons: Ghana’s billion-dollar ‘Timber Merchant’ deal to protect taxes
30 mins -
Ashanti Regional Minister defends arrest of ECG boss, rejects calls for apology
34 mins -
Cash Waterfall Mechanism report shows significant non-compliance with formula for revenue allocation – Report
48 mins -
Prison officer injured in clash with soldiers in Bawku
51 mins -
SSNIT reserves projected to hit zero in 12 years – ILO
56 mins -
Prestigious Nigerian school closed over bullying reports
1 hour -
Funny Face failed to perform at my show after taking money – Parrot Mouth
1 hour -
CAFCC: Sports Minister to offer Dreams FC a ‘surprise’ package before Zamalek clash
1 hour -
CAF awards 3-0 win to RS Berkane, after Algerian customs confiscated their kits
2 hours -
AgriTech challenge pro holds first pitch
2 hours -
UNIDO commits to improving local rice standards
2 hours -
Suleja prison: 108 inmates on the run in Nigeria
2 hours -
We object to government’s plans to make BEST sole off-taker of Sentuo Oil Refinery – CBOD
2 hours