Features
Is the NHIS working effectively at the accredited health facilities at all?
For the number of times, this year, that I had sought medical attention at my health provider (Clinic), which has been duly registered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), I did not receive my medications from the pharmacy even though the prescriptions by the doctors were covered by the scheme.My only benefits were the examination and compilation of my vital information, i.e. taken of temperature, blood pressure and checking of weight by the nurses and finally the medical treatment by the doctors. The prescriptions for my drugs were issued alright by the doctors, only to be told by the pharmacists on duty that the drugs were not available, therefore, I should go outside and buy them.
‘NO DRUG’ SYNDROME BY ACCREDITED NHIS HEALTH PROVIDERS
I have monitored and observed this situation critically in some of the NHIS health providers in Accra and arrived at the conclusion that I was not the only person suffering from this unfavourable practice but quite a number of people were also being denied their legitimate entitlement. The mantra has been, ‘please go to the doctor to write a fresh prescription for you to buy your drugs from pharmacies outside’. Such is the scenario in most of the health facilities covered by the NHIS in our dear country. I have contacted a number of people who have attested to that fact and told me they have been buying their drugs from pharmacies outside at exorbitant prices. I have come to realise that these health facilities covered by the NHIS, have the drugs alright but then, failure to reimburse them by the government has necessitated their reluctance to supply them to the beneficiaries of the scheme. The NHIS is indebted to them in huge amount which remains unpaid.
QUESTIONS FOR NHIS ADMINISTRATORS
The few questions we need to ask ourselves are; What is happening to the NHIS? Is the NHIS collapsing? Why is it that medical facilities that are operating under the scheme are not being reimbursed by the government? Are there no funds to run the scheme properly? Has the economic decline affected the scheme financially? Somebody must answer these questions to set the records straight.
Ghana was the first Sub-Saharan African country to introduce the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003 through an Act of Parliament (Act 650 Amended Act 852) and its full implementation started in 2004. Under the NHIS Amended Act 852 (2012), every Ghanaian is required to enrol in the health insurance scheme. The scheme is regarded as one of the social intervention programmes the government introduced to provide financial access to quality health care in Ghana.
THE EMERGENCE OF NHIS AND HOW IT IS FUNDED
The scheme is largely funded by the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) which is 2.5 per cent levy on goods and services collected under the Value Added Tax (VAT), 2-5 percentage points of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions per month.
The idea for the establishment of the NHIS in Ghana was conceived by former President John Agyekum Kufuor who used the scheme as a campaign promise in the 2000 general election and promised to abolish the ‘Cash and Carry’ system of health delivery when he gained power in the country.True to his campaign promise, President Kufuor, after winning the election introduced the scheme in 2003.
The major objective of the NHIS was to ensure that it covered all indigene Ghanaians across the country with the purpose of delivering a comprehensive and affordable health care nationwide. The scheme was designed to cover employers, unemployed both in the rural and the urban communities across the country.
ACHIEVEMENT OF NHIS UNDER VARIOUS GOVERNMENTS
Since its introduction in the country, the scheme had witnessed remarkable progress in various regimes after the Kufuor led government. Former Presidents John Evans Atta Mills, John Mahama and the current President Akufo-Addo, readily embraced the scheme because of its immense benefits to the people and the country in general. They, therefore, adopted it as one of the social interventions in the health sector and gave it the needed push. The scope of the scheme was widened to rope in more beneficiaries. Currently, the active membership of the NHIS has risen from 10.8 million in 2018 to over 12 million in 2019. The Ashanti Region, according to statistics, recorded the highest active membership of 2.2 million followed by the Greater Accra Region in the year under review. Latest figures on the entire membership as of the end of 2021 is not yet available.
The scheme has been made compulsory by government based on past experiences which showed that most of the citizens could not engage in it and the fact that the government has the duty to protect the general welfare of all the citizens in our dear country. The flexible nature of the scheme and its lower payment of registration, made it quite easy for people to register and enrol as members. It has been designed to exempt certain category of people including the older persons from the payments of certain charges.
EMERGING CHALLENGES OF THE NHIS
Like all human institutions across the globe, the scheme despite its successful implementation over the years in the country, is challenged with a number of problems such as poor coverage, poor quality care, corruption, poor stakeholder participation, lack of clarity on concepts in the policy, intense political influence and poor financing. These administrative lapses are, indeed, affecting the effective operation of this laudable scheme.
It is worthy of note that National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the administrative body of the scheme in collaboration with the National Identification Authority (NIA), is determined to ensure that all residents in Ghana use one card which will be the Ghana Card to access health care. Consequently, steps are in progress to synchronise the NHIS card with the Ghana Card. That will be a positive development and a step in the right direction.
THE SUCCESSFUL STORY OF THE NHIS
Suffice it to say, the NHIS unlike the ‘Cash and Carry’ system which requires up-front payment of medical care and imposes a financial stress on Ghanaians in terms of health care delivery, is a laudable social intervention which needs to be supported adequately by government if we are to achieve health for all by the year 2024 and beyond. The scheme has come to serve and continues to serve a useful purpose in our dear country and we need to nurture it to flourish. It has been a source of hope for the majority of people in the rural areas who depend on it to access their health care needs. It is, therefore, necessary for the government to clear the outstanding arrears of the service providers and invest heavily in the programme to enable the scheme to cater for the millions of patients under the scheme.
A healthy nation, they say, is a wealthy nation. Health care is important to society because people get ill, accidents and emergencies do arise and the hospitals are needed to diagnose, treat and manage different types of ailments and diseases. Many of our people’s aspirations and desires cannot be met without longer, healthier and happy lives.
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By Charles Neequaye
Features
Who knows tomorrow?
Recently a friend posted a sad news on his Facebook page, announcing the death of a school mate who had passed away, suddenly. The report had it that he was on his way to the airport to take a flight to Ghana.
I am sure this man had already informed the wife or a friend or a work colleague at work that he was returning home but he was not to return as a human being but as a dead body.
Such is life and so we need to be circumspect in how we go about things in life. The Bible reminds us that we are like grass which at one point in time looks elegant and the next moment becomes withered according to Psalm 90:5 and 6. It is for this reason that we need to guard our hearts with the word of God so that we shall be motivated to do the right thing, at all times.
This will enable us live on this planet, free from all sorts of troubles in our personal lives, even if we ignore the question of Heaven and Hell. Living a disciplined life delivers us from any kind of trouble as the Bible declares in Galatians 5:23 that against such there is no law.
The uncertainty surrounding our lives on earth is the more reason why people should commit their lives into the hands of the one who created it, in the first place unless you believe that the world created itself and that it appeared from nowhere.
Otherwise, the logical thing to do is to recognize the authority of the creator and surrender to his Lordship. Heaven is real and Hell is real, so for us who know the truth and have received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, the onus lies on us to encourage our relations who have not believed and received Jesus into their lives, to do so.
We are a couple of days from another Easter Resurrection celebration and an opportunity to reflect on our lives in relation to the significance of Easter. In the Bible, the only occasion Jesus, Saviour of the world commands us to celebrate is his death and resurrection.
He never commanded his followers to celebrate his birth but like everything else, we chose to ignore Jesus’s instructions and decided to do what pleases us, just like our forefather and mother in the Garden of Eden.
Let us deliberately choose to do things differently as Christians this Easter, so we can really benefit from all the blessings that the celebration of the death and birth of Jesus, has on offer. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is definitely insanity.
I choose to be different this Easter and I am believing God for a newness of life so God’s glory would be revealed in me to draw the unsaved to him. It is only when people especially the unsaved, see the character of Christ in us, that they can be convinced about the authenticity of Jesus, as Saviour of the world, who can bring transformation in their lives too.
This is what would motivate them to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. Let us make this Easter a memorable one that will be cherished for a long time. It is also a period for reconciliation and it would be great if in the spirit of Easter, we would try to reach out to those who have wronged us or have a grudge against us.
This would demonstrate that we have indeed accepted Jesus and that our religious posture is not a sham. May the good Lord grant us the grace to love our neighbours as ourselves, demonstrating the love of God in the process.
Those who have lost their loved ones and Easter brings sad memories, may the good Lord comfort and strengthen you. God bless.
.NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
Features
Cosmetic deformities
COSMETIC deformities refer to physical imperfections or abnormalities that affect an individual’s appearance, often causing emotional distress and impacting their quality of life.
These deformities can be congenital, acquired, or result from various medical conditions or treatments. This article provides an in-depth exploration of cosmetic deformities, their types, causes, effects, and treatment options.
Types of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can affect various parts of the body, including the face, skin, hair, nails, and teeth. Some common types of cosmetic deformities include:
1. Facial deformities: Congenital or acquired abnormalities affecting the shape, structure, or appearance of the face, such as cleft lip and palate, facial paralysis, or facial asymmetry.
2. Skin deformities: Conditions affecting the skin’s texture, tone, or appearance, such as acne, scars, birthmarks, or skin discoloration.
3. Hair deformities: Abnormalities affecting the hair’s growth, texture, or appearance, such as alopecia, hirsutism, or hair loss due to medical conditions or treatments.
4. Nail deformities: Conditions affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the nails, such as nail fungus, nail psoriasis, or nail trauma.
5. Dental deformities: Abnormalities affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the teeth, such as tooth decay, tooth loss, or malocclusion.
Causes of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can result from various factors, including:
1. Genetics: Congenital conditions or inherited traits can cause cosmetic deformities.
2. Trauma: Injuries or accidents can result in cosmetic deformities, such as scars or facial trauma.
3. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, or eczema, can cause cosmetic deformities.
4. Treatments and procedures: Medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, can result in cosmetic deformities.
5. Aging and environmental factors: Aging, sun exposure, and environmental factors can contribute to cosmetic deformities, such as wrinkles, fine lines, or age spots.
Effects of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, including:
1. Low self-esteem: Cosmetic deformities can lead to feelings of insecurity, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem.
2. Social anxiety: Individuals with cosmetic deformities may experience social anxiety, avoiding social interactions or feeling embarrassed in public.
3. Emotional distress: Cosmetic deformities can cause emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, or stress.
4. Impact on quality of life: Cosmetic deformities can affect an individual’s quality of life, impacting their relationships, career, or overall well-being.
Treatment options for cosmetic deformities
Various treatment options are available to address cosmetic deformities, including:
1. Surgical procedures: Surgical procedures, such as reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery, or dermatological surgery, can correct or improve cosmetic deformities.
2. Non-surgical treatments: Non-surgical treatments, such as laser therapy, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion, can address cosmetic concerns, such as skin texture, tone, or appearance.
3. Medical treatments: Medical treatments, such as topical creams, oral medications, or injectable treatments, can address cosmetic concerns, such as acne, hair loss, or nail deformities.
4. Prosthetic and orthotic devices: Prosthetic and orthotic devices, such as wigs, hairpieces, or dental prosthetics, can help individuals with cosmetic deformities.
5. Counselling and therapy: Counselling and therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy, can help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological effects of cosmetic deformities.
Conclusion
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, impacting their quality of life and overall well-being.
Understanding the types, causes, and effects of cosmetic deformities is crucial in addressing these concerns.
Various treatment options are available, ranging from surgical procedures to non-surgical treatments, medical treatments, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and counselling and therapy.
By seeking professional help and support, individuals with cosmetic deformities can improve their appearance, boost their self-esteem, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Reference
1. “Cosmetic Deformities” by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
