Maxwell Mahama
The Sunyani Municipal Manager of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Maxwell Mahama, has warned healthcare providers against the charging of illegal fees from clients who attend their facilities.
He warned that it is a criminal offence for health facilities to charge unapproved fees and the offence could lead to the termination of contract and possible prosecution.
Mr Mahama gave the warning when he made announced visits to the Sunyani Municipal Hospital and the Bono Regional Hospital following allegations of illegal feels being charged by hospital staff.
According to him, his outfit had a complaint that the dentist at the Sunyani Municipal Hospital allegedly charged GH¢100 from clients for filling teeth.
He said such service is already catered for by the NHIS
Mr Mahama also revealed that women who went to the said health facility for ante-natal services were charged ¢1 for vital sign check as well as GH¢1 or GH¢2 for receptacle for urine sample.
“When I contacted your administrator, he denied knowledge of the charges but this should be the last warming. We will not countenance this further and if investigations revealed this to be true any health worker found culpable shall be dealt with according to the law’, he emphasized.
He pleaded with clients who patronize public hospitals to report any such health officials who would ask them to pay for services already covered by the NHIS for appropriate sanctions to be taken against those who are bent on stifling government’s effort of providing free health care to the people.
He warned the NHIA accredited facilities to eschew acts that will discourage prospective health care seekers from joining the scheme.
“The authority is going to take appropriate actions against Sunyani Municipal and Regional Hospitals for the illegal acts”, he indicated.
FROM Daniel Y Dayee, Sunyani