NHIA Probes Tema General Hospital Extortion

Officials of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) are expected to visit the Tema General Hospital today, Wednesday, 31 January 2018 over information that a pregnant woman in labour was unlawfully charged GHS750 before delivery.

Under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), registered pregnant women are entitled to free care and delivery.

According to the authority, they have already intercepted a scanned copy of the receipt of the alleged extortion and the perpetrators will not be left off the hook if the allegations is proven beyond reasonable doubt.

Communications Manager of NHIA, Barima Sarpong, who confirmed the incident to Class News, said: “It is true that somebody, after delivery, has been charged GHS750, and, so, this morning we’ll go to the Tema General Hospital, and, as it were, find out [the truth].”

He continued: “If the person had normal delivery or caesarean section and the person is covered, you don’t have to take any money from them. They [management of the hospital] will have to explain the reason for taking that money and that is where we’ll determine wrong or right, but, as it were, you don’t have to pay if you are covered.”

He added: “We are yet to ascertain the reason for the payment of the money because a scan copy of the receipt has been sighted, so yes, we can confirm the payment.”

Mr Sarpong noted that if it the patient was unlawfully charged, sanctions will apply.

Source: ClassFMonline