The Tema General Hospital has been cited in an audit report as having over-billed the authority to the tune of GH¢71,107 for services rendered in respect of the free maternal care programme. The audit - conducted by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) - has revealed that many health providers have been billing the NHIA for services they have not rendered. Last year the NHIA suspended two health facilities in the Ashanti Region from the scheme for malpractices including over-billing. The authority says it will soon name and shame all hospitals and clinics engaged in the illegal practice of billing for services not rendered. Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs at the NHIA, Eric Ametor-Quarmyne, says the authority is also taking steps to prosecute individuals benefitting from the fraud. “It is of concern to us because the financial resources made to the authorities to carry out this programme is not unlimited and if we look at our expenditure, it’s been increasing tremendously, almost doubling year-in-year-out,” he told Joy News’ Evans Mensah. Meanwhile, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) says the NHIA must take part of the blame for failing to take steps that could have identified the problem earlier. Director General of the GHS, Dr. Elias Sori says that despite the issues, some of the schemes in the various districts are doing very well. “I have said it categorically that if you involve yourself in fraud… we will have to take you on,” he said.