The Presbyterian Church of Ghana has called on Government to do all within its power to rescue the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from total collapse due to its immense contribution towards health provision in the country.
The Church noted with concern the myriads of challenges that had plagued the NHIS, which was introduced to replace the “cash and carry” system, which made it impossible for many to receive health care.
In a communiqué issued by the General Assembly of the Church and read by Rt Rev Professor Emmanuel Martey on Monday, it noted with concern the severe strain under which the NHIS found itself thus defeating the purpose for which it was established, adding that holders of the card found it difficult to access healthcare.
“The hope was that the NHIS would be improved upon by successive Governments to make it more effective, remove the bottle necks that plagued it and bring many Ghanaians under its operation, however, PCG has noted with concern the severe strain under which the NHIS finds itself”, he said.
He noted that although Government had taken a lot of initiatives to address health issues in the country, not much had been done concerning human resource base of health institutions.
“We are informed that about 90 percent of newly posted doctors did not report to their new stations last year and reasons given included discriminatory postings and unattractive conditions of services”, he said.
He said the general atmosphere in the hospitals, which included congestion at wards, old furniture, and outdated equipment to tired, angry and depressed nurses, doctors and attendants making the hospitals most dreaded places for people.
The Moderator urged government to consider the issue of incentive to health workers seriously to encourage their postings to rural areas and provide modern equipment and techniques of healthcare delivery.
He called on Ghanaians not to blame Government for the poor results of BECE (Basic Education Certificate Examination) candidates, as some parents and children did not take education seriously.
Rt. Rev Prof Martey expressed concern about the emergence of ethnocentricity, which was gradually rearing its ugly head in the country and could severely harm coexistence, and harmony in the country.
“Ghanaians are civilized people and the deadly disease of ethnocentricity is not very apparent in Ghana, but cracks are beginning to occur and Ghana needs to be reminded of the lethal disease of ethnicity”, he said.
He condemned the activities of small-scale illegal mining operators, popularly known as ‘galamsey’, which were polluting water bodies with mercury, which could cause kidney problems, arthritis, miscarriage, brain damage, memory loss and psychotic reactions.
The Church commended Ghanaians for the show of patriotism and maturity exhibited during the death of former President Atta Mills and the smooth take-over of President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur.
Source: GNA
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