The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Aboagye Da-Costa, has urged the public to ignore reports regarding the implementation of National Non-resident Visitors Health Insurance, stating that a decision has not been taken.
Earlier reports have suggested that foreigners will pay between $45 and $240 for an insurance policy, starting Monday, July 1, 2024.
But the CEO of NHIA, Dr Da-Costa, said in a statement on Tuesday that “The start date of 1st July 2024 is false, and I have no idea of such proposed date.”
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority, launched the “National Non-resident Visitors Health Insurance” policy in February 2024.
“No decision has been taken by NHIA Executive Management nor the Board on the way forward of this National Non-resident Visitors Health Insurance policy developed in 2023 and launched in February 2024, before my assumption of office.
“I am also yet to receive any report by any committee that was set up before my assumption of office on this policy, and if any, the details,” he added.
He further explained that though the NHIA Act 852 mandates NHIA to make sure non-residents have health insurance, the Authority “has not yet worked out any details of such implementation.”
Additionally, the Act stipulates that these services should be covered under a national health insurance scheme to ensure equitable access to healthcare and improve the quality of life for all.
“In any case, the implementation will need cabinet and parliamentary approvals aside [from] stakeholder engagements. Such a proposal will also require an opinion from the Attorney General,” he stated.
Meanwhile, a leading member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has expressed displeasure about the decision.
Mr Otchere-Darko, in a post on X on Tuesday said: “Oh how? This has to be fake!” in response to the development.
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