A delegation from the Police Hospital paid a working visit to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to seek support in enhancing the hospital’s operations.

The delegation was led by the Medical Director of the hospital, COP Dr. Samuel Otu-Nyarko, and was received by a team from the NHIA, also led by its Chief Executive, Dr Dacosta Aboagye .
Held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, the meeting discussed major challenges faced by the Police Hospital and explored areas in which the NHIA could support. Dr. Otu-Nyarko mentioned the challenges to include high cost of operations due to its mandate.

Dr.Da-Costa Aboagye in a group photograph with COP Dr. Samuel Otu-Nyarko and others

“The hospital is mandated to provide free healthcare to police personnel, their dependents, suspects, victims, convicts, and unidentified persons in need of healthcare, which has resulted in limited cash flow and high-cost operations.

Some scenes from the visit
“Because we are mandated to offer free healthcare to our personnel, most of them are not registered unto the National Health Insurance Scheme and cannot benefit from the automatic absorption of all SSNIT contributors because the service is under CAP 30,” he said.
Dr. Otu-Nyarko highlighted other areas that put a strain on the hospital’s resources to include expenses related to quarterly mass burials, treatments for unidentified patients, and dialysis treatments.

“We serve 52 dialysis patients who take three sessions each per week, leading to annual costs of approximately GHc6.5 million.

“This facility not only caters to police personnel but also serves civilians who pay 600 cedis per session. The heavy financial strain on the hospital’s resources due to the cost of dialysis is huge.”
“These costs are currently being absorbed entirely by the Police Hospital and need support to lighten their burden and enhance health outcomes. The hospital would therefore want to collaborate with the NHIA to explore areas of support from the NHIA,” he said.

Response
Dr. DaCosta Aboagye explains the benefits of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and how it can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the police service.

He applauded the efforts of the Police Hospital to register its 14 satellite facilities unto the NHIS, which would increase funding for the hospital to boost its operational cost.
He also recommended the registration of all police personnel and their dependents unto the NHIS to help cut down on the operational cost of the Police hospital.

Dr Aboagye assured the Police Hospital delegation of his support in facilitating and accelerating the delivery of that initiative.
He said that would enable the hospital to claim reimbursements under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Additionally, he suggested to the delegation to sign unto a private insurance scheme for police officers to cover the 5 per cent of diseases not covered by the NHIS under primary healthcare.
Dr. Aboagye said that could be a top-up insurance program, which would be cheap and beneficial for police officers to also enhance their operational cost.

Dialysis support
He also expressed willingness to support the dialysis program, acknowledging the high costs involved. On the request for the NHIA to support the Police Hospital’s dialysis program, he requested a formal request detailing current needs and patient numbers for evaluation and potential inclusion in the NHIA’s support program subsequently.

However, he said the hospital could not be added immediately unto the dialysis support program because the NHIA’s current budget is constrained, which necessitated a reallocation of funds for corporate social responsibility to the program on the interim.

Dr. Aboagye said an actuarial study was currently underway to facilitate the expansion of the dialysis support program and assured the delegation that the Police and 37 Military hospitals will be considered for inclusion subsequently.

He emphasised the NHIA’s commitment to supporting healthcare providers and ensuring that the National…
SOURCE: DOREEN ANDOH

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