Challenges facing effective implementation of the health insurance scheme in the Assin North municipality

Abstract

The study sought to analyse the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Assin North Municipal Assembly. In all, 138 NHIS subscribers and three key informants comprising the manager of Assin North NHIS, the head of one accredited NHIS pharmacy and the head of one accredited NHIS health centre were selected for the study. Questionnaires and interview guide were the research instruments that were used to collect data from the field. In addition to this, purposive and convenient sampling techniques were used toselect the respondents for the study.The study found that the level of registration of the NHIS in Assin North Municipality was high. Two main factors namely trust in the NHIS and theaffordability of the NHIS premium accounted for this. Perception of the implementation of the NHIS in Assin North Municipality was good. Poor delivery of services by NHIS service providers, corruption in the activities of NHIS service providers and untimely disbursement of funds to NHIS service providers were the main factors that affect the implementation of NHIS. It is recommended that National Health Insurance Council (NHIC) should form finance committees at the district, regional and national levels to check the financial activities of NHIS service providers. The council should make sure that funds covering the cost of drugs are timely disbursed to NHIS service providers.In addition, the NHIC should also institute award scheme for the best NHIS service providers to encourage service providers offering poor services to improve upon their services.