Features
Is the NHIS working effectively at the accredited health facilities at all?
For the number of times, this year, that I had sought medical attention at my health provider (Clinic), which has been duly registered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), I did not receive my medications from the pharmacy even though the prescriptions by the doctors were covered by the scheme.My only benefits were the examination and compilation of my vital information, i.e. taken of temperature, blood pressure and checking of weight by the nurses and finally the medical treatment by the doctors. The prescriptions for my drugs were issued alright by the doctors, only to be told by the pharmacists on duty that the drugs were not available, therefore, I should go outside and buy them.
‘NO DRUG’ SYNDROME BY ACCREDITED NHIS HEALTH PROVIDERS
I have monitored and observed this situation critically in some of the NHIS health providers in Accra and arrived at the conclusion that I was not the only person suffering from this unfavourable practice but quite a number of people were also being denied their legitimate entitlement. The mantra has been, ‘please go to the doctor to write a fresh prescription for you to buy your drugs from pharmacies outside’. Such is the scenario in most of the health facilities covered by the NHIS in our dear country. I have contacted a number of people who have attested to that fact and told me they have been buying their drugs from pharmacies outside at exorbitant prices. I have come to realise that these health facilities covered by the NHIS, have the drugs alright but then, failure to reimburse them by the government has necessitated their reluctance to supply them to the beneficiaries of the scheme. The NHIS is indebted to them in huge amount which remains unpaid.
QUESTIONS FOR NHIS ADMINISTRATORS
The few questions we need to ask ourselves are; What is happening to the NHIS? Is the NHIS collapsing? Why is it that medical facilities that are operating under the scheme are not being reimbursed by the government? Are there no funds to run the scheme properly? Has the economic decline affected the scheme financially? Somebody must answer these questions to set the records straight.
Ghana was the first Sub-Saharan African country to introduce the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003 through an Act of Parliament (Act 650 Amended Act 852) and its full implementation started in 2004. Under the NHIS Amended Act 852 (2012), every Ghanaian is required to enrol in the health insurance scheme. The scheme is regarded as one of the social intervention programmes the government introduced to provide financial access to quality health care in Ghana.
THE EMERGENCE OF NHIS AND HOW IT IS FUNDED
The scheme is largely funded by the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) which is 2.5 per cent levy on goods and services collected under the Value Added Tax (VAT), 2-5 percentage points of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions per month.
The idea for the establishment of the NHIS in Ghana was conceived by former President John Agyekum Kufuor who used the scheme as a campaign promise in the 2000 general election and promised to abolish the ‘Cash and Carry’ system of health delivery when he gained power in the country.True to his campaign promise, President Kufuor, after winning the election introduced the scheme in 2003.
The major objective of the NHIS was to ensure that it covered all indigene Ghanaians across the country with the purpose of delivering a comprehensive and affordable health care nationwide. The scheme was designed to cover employers, unemployed both in the rural and the urban communities across the country.
ACHIEVEMENT OF NHIS UNDER VARIOUS GOVERNMENTS
Since its introduction in the country, the scheme had witnessed remarkable progress in various regimes after the Kufuor led government. Former Presidents John Evans Atta Mills, John Mahama and the current President Akufo-Addo, readily embraced the scheme because of its immense benefits to the people and the country in general. They, therefore, adopted it as one of the social interventions in the health sector and gave it the needed push. The scope of the scheme was widened to rope in more beneficiaries. Currently, the active membership of the NHIS has risen from 10.8 million in 2018 to over 12 million in 2019. The Ashanti Region, according to statistics, recorded the highest active membership of 2.2 million followed by the Greater Accra Region in the year under review. Latest figures on the entire membership as of the end of 2021 is not yet available.
The scheme has been made compulsory by government based on past experiences which showed that most of the citizens could not engage in it and the fact that the government has the duty to protect the general welfare of all the citizens in our dear country. The flexible nature of the scheme and its lower payment of registration, made it quite easy for people to register and enrol as members. It has been designed to exempt certain category of people including the older persons from the payments of certain charges.
EMERGING CHALLENGES OF THE NHIS
Like all human institutions across the globe, the scheme despite its successful implementation over the years in the country, is challenged with a number of problems such as poor coverage, poor quality care, corruption, poor stakeholder participation, lack of clarity on concepts in the policy, intense political influence and poor financing. These administrative lapses are, indeed, affecting the effective operation of this laudable scheme.
It is worthy of note that National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the administrative body of the scheme in collaboration with the National Identification Authority (NIA), is determined to ensure that all residents in Ghana use one card which will be the Ghana Card to access health care. Consequently, steps are in progress to synchronise the NHIS card with the Ghana Card. That will be a positive development and a step in the right direction.
THE SUCCESSFUL STORY OF THE NHIS
Suffice it to say, the NHIS unlike the ‘Cash and Carry’ system which requires up-front payment of medical care and imposes a financial stress on Ghanaians in terms of health care delivery, is a laudable social intervention which needs to be supported adequately by government if we are to achieve health for all by the year 2024 and beyond. The scheme has come to serve and continues to serve a useful purpose in our dear country and we need to nurture it to flourish. It has been a source of hope for the majority of people in the rural areas who depend on it to access their health care needs. It is, therefore, necessary for the government to clear the outstanding arrears of the service providers and invest heavily in the programme to enable the scheme to cater for the millions of patients under the scheme.
A healthy nation, they say, is a wealthy nation. Health care is important to society because people get ill, accidents and emergencies do arise and the hospitals are needed to diagnose, treat and manage different types of ailments and diseases. Many of our people’s aspirations and desires cannot be met without longer, healthier and happy lives.
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By Charles Neequaye
Conflict at work is more common than you might think. According to 2022 research by The Myers-Briggs Company, more than a third of the workforce reports dealing with conflict often, very often, or all the time in the workplace. The same report found that managers spend an average of four hours per week dealing with conflict, and nearly 25 per cent of people think their managers handle conflict poorly or very poorly.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you’re trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved, here are seven steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
1. Don’t put it off
Facing conflict head-on is hard. However, waiting too long to address it can negatively impact your emotional well-being, focus, and the entire office environment. If you’re feeling angry, letting that emotion fester can also escalate it over time. This can make you less responsive to other points of view and make it harder to resolve the issue.
The sooner you can address the conflict, the better it will be for you, the person you disagree with, and your entire team.
2. Learn all you can about the problem
It’s important to determine the type of conflict you’re dealing with. Begin by considering the cause of the conflict. For example, ask yourself whether someone said something that upset you or if you have emotions of anger and resentment that stemmed from something that happened.
Then try to identify if it’s a task, relationship, value, or team conflict. Once you know what type of conflict it is, you can work to resolve it with specific tactics for that situation.
If you skip this step, you may waste time or escalate the situation further by trying to address issues irrelevant to the real conflict.
3. Actively listen
Listen attentively when people share their side of the story. Active listening is one of the most valuable professional skills you can possess. This type of listening involves not only hearing what the other person is saying but also listening to understand their point of view.
No matter your role in conflict, it’s easy to begin sharing your opinion with little regard for the other people involved. However, it’s important to learn about all sides of a disagreement to make well-informed decisions before drawing conclusions.
To reach a resolution, you must step back and prioritize listening over talking. Ultimately, that will encourage the other person to do the same when it’s your turn to speak. –source: betterup.com
Today, I focus on the Temple Of Praise Ministries International (TOP Church) in Helsinki, as I continue my description of personalities or institutions and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The TOP Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments that must be made known to the public. 
Some history
The Church was established in Finland in September 2016. Since its inception, it has steadily grown both spiritually and numerically, by the grace of God, as disclosed to me by Mr Matthew Anini Twumasi, the Presiding Elder of TOP’s branch in Finland. The TOP Church has other branches across Africa, Europe, and America.
The Church in Finland was founded with a vision to create a welcoming and dynamic community where people could experience God’s love and grace (see, www.topchurchfinland.org). According to Presiding Elder Matthew, the TOP Church operates within a unique environment where Christianity coexists with what is seen as a largely secular society.
Despite this, he submits, there are significant opportunities for outreach, unity, and demonstrating the love of Christ through service and community engagement.
Activities
Church services at the TOP Church are typically held on Sundays for the main worship. In addition, there are mid-week prayer sessions, Saturday prayer services, and a half-night service held on the last Friday of every month. “We also organise quarterly programs”, Elder Matthew added.
His impression of the Church so far has been positive. “It is a vibrant and welcoming community where members are committed to worship, fellowship, and supporting one another in faith”, he stated.
In sum, Elder Matthew said the Church continues to grow by God’s grace. “We remain hopeful and committed to spreading the Gospel, strengthening the faith of our members, and making a positive impact in society”, he continued.
Achievements
The TOP Church has a number of achievements and achievements. Some of the strengths include strong community bonds, cultural diversity, and deep commitment to spiritual growth.
I also remember that during the COVID-19 period, I heard that the TOP Church was one such bodies that hugely supported its members and others to cope with the situation.
According to Elder Matthew, the challenges facing the church include “adapting to cultural differences, engaging the younger generation, expanding outreach in a secular society, and securing a permanent place of worship”.
Role in the Ghanaian community in Finland
The TOP Church plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the TOP Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
The Church also has mechanisms in place to support its members who are bereaved as a way to commiserate with them in times of death and funerals.
The Ghanaian community has played a vital role in the growth of the Church. Their strong sense of fellowship, dedication to worship, and active participation have helped build a solid foundation and attract others to the ministry, according to Elder Matthew.
Integration
By its activities, the TOP Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society.
This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process.
The role of migrant associations and groups such as TOP Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
