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Unapproved fees affecting NHIS patronage in UER

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The demand for unapproved fees from patients by some health facilities in the Upper West Region is said to be affecting patronage of the National Health Insurance Scheme in the area.
Mr. Samuel Lekamwe Lobber, Regional Director of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) brought this to the fore at an End-of-Year Performance Review Meeting held in the region recently.
He said that such illegal fees made clients to lose confidence in the Scheme and asked those health institutions involved to stop.
“Illegal charges remain the biggest headache to the NHIA in the region and it is affecting our efforts to mobilise more clients because if someone goes for healthcare and is asked to make payment for a condition that is already covered, that experience will not encourage them to renew their commitment with the scheme.
“Some of these health facilities charge unapproved fees for which they do not even issue receipts and still make claims to the authority for reimbursement”, he explained.
He indicated that the thought of having to pay for petty things such as folders and laboratory tests at health facilities discouraged some people from registering under the scheme as they did not value the services of the insurance scheme.
Mr Lobber said the fact that such people even went back to discuss their experiences at the health centres with others could further discourage several others from joining the scheme.
He appealed to health facilities across the region to be guided by the ethics of their profession which was to deliver quality healthcare.
He explained that to partly tackle this issue, a new feature would be added to the mobile renewal platform which allow the authority to confirm from patients if they had visited a particular health facility for health care services or not.
This feature, he said, would help check false claims tendered in by some health facilities and also reduce the rate of charging illegal fees.
The Director appealed to their clients to make use of the mobile renewal platform to check for drugs and services they were entitled at the health centre in order to avoid falling victim to the illegal charges.
He used the opportunity to commend staff of the authority for working harder to ensure that they attained 80 percent coverage of clients and said the move was to enhance access to universal health coverage by residents of the region.
The meeting which was on the theme “Sustaining our gains for universal health coverage- a collective responsibility” brought together former and current stakeholders of the authority to consolidate gains, share ideas and experiences and also chart the way forward.
From Lydia Darlington Fordour, Wa
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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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NPP suspends Greater Accra campaigns ahead of “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all aspirants campaigning in the Greater Accra Region to suspend their campaign activities on August 5 and 6 and instead mobilise supporters for the party’s planned “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration.
The directive was issued by the party’s National Steering Committee in a statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the decision forms part of efforts to ensure a strong turnout for the demonstration, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026.
The party said the protest would begin at 5:00 a.m., with participants expected to gather at the Supreme Court in Accra.
It further directed Regional, Constituency and Polling Station Executives in Greater Accra to work closely to mobilise members and supporters for the event.
“The National Steering Committee is calling on all aspirants currently campaigning across the Greater Accra Region to temporarily suspend their campaign activities on the 5th and 6th of August and join in mobilising support for the upcoming demonstration,” the statement noted.
The NPP appealed to party members and supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and orderly throughout the protest.
The demonstration forms part of the party’s response to concerns it has raised over issues relating to Ghana’s democratic governance and the justice system.
The NPP leadership expressed confidence that party members would cooperate fully to ensure a successful and peaceful event.
By: Jacob Aggrey




