Candidate Dramani Mahama has pledged that his second term will see more revenue pumped into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enhance health care delivery.
He described as hypocritical claims by the opposition New Patriot Party (NPP) that the scheme has been run down yet have their Members of Parliament busily enlisting constituents onto the scheme.
President Mahama noted the observation on his Eastern Regional tour at Kade and Asamankese where National Democratic Congress (NDC) loyalists trooped in to hear their leader at two separate rallies.
“It’s easier said than done. It’s like a spectator at a stadium who feels he can play better than say Andre Ayew but when fielded can’t make any impact,†Mr. Mahama thundered adding “talk is cheap.â€
He said the law birthing the NHIS came with a 10 year servicing fund from 2005 to 2015 adding now that the funding is exhausted, a new funding regime will be put in place under his watch when he wins the 2016 election.
He debunked the assertion that the scheme has fewer clients on its rooster pointing out in 2005 under president Kufuor, the scheme had 9 million clients but as at 2015 the scheme boast of 29 million clients showing a 20 million increase in patronage.
“Recently the NPP said the NHIS has collapsed but if you claim NHIS has collapsed why is the NPP registering its supporters onto the scheme? If it has collapsed then what is the benefit of the card? Why are you paying for the NHIS cards for our people? It is has collapsed then stop registering your people.
“What is happening is that the NHIS has expanded tremendously,†President Mahama added at Kade.