Parliament has approved an amount of GH¢2.5 billion for the operations of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) this year.
This comprises levies from the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), SSNIT contributions, premium, processing fees and a mid-year government support of GH¢700 million.
Out of the amount, GH¢12 million has been set aside for the construction of six new regional offices for the six new regions that have been created to help enhance operations in those regions.
Apart from that, an amount of GH¢25 million has been set aside for the establishment of 20 new district offices to help enhance access to NHIA services.
Parliament gave the approval over the weekend.
Last year, an amount of GH¢2.3 billion was approved for NHIA, but the Ministry of Finance could only release GH¢1.4 billion to the Authority, with additional cash from pension premiums, processing fees, investments, as well as others that were added to bring the total amount to GH¢1.6 billion.
According to a report of the committee, payment made for 2018 amounted to GH¢1.58 billion, with total claims of GH¢1 billion.
The report said out of the remaining amount, GH¢358.8 million was paid to the Ministry of Health of which a total of GH¢163.6 million was used to pay allowances of nursing trainees.
By Thomas Fosu Jnr