The Minister for Health, Kwabena Minta Akandoh, has revealed that the government paid GH¢2.6 billion in 2025 to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to clear outstanding claims and debts owed to healthcare providers.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr. Akandoh explained that the payment was meant to settle arrears that had accumulated over the years and to restore confidence among hospitals and other service providers who depend on timely reimbursements from the scheme.
He further disclosed that government has fully disbursed GH¢1.5 billion to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as Mahama Care, as part of measures to improve healthcare delivery across the country.
The minister made the disclosure while responding to questions from the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin during parliamentary proceedings.
According to him, the payments form part of broader efforts to stabilize the NHIS and ensure that hospitals and other health facilities receive prompt reimbursement for services provided to insured patients.
He also criticized the persistent accumulation of NHIS arrears under the previous administration, noting that although GH¢5.68 billion was paid in claims between 2020 and 2023, debts continued to pile up during that period.
The NHIS, established to make healthcare affordable for Ghanaians, has faced growing concerns in recent years over delays in reimbursing service providers. Government officials say the latest payments are part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the scheme’s financial sustainability and improving healthcare delivery nationwide.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Tamara Owusu Ansah
