'Paying GH₵8.00 as premium for health insurance is why we're suffering; increase it' — Atik Mohammed tells gov't

Former General Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed, has called on the government to consider revising the annual premium for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to ensure better healthcare services for Ghanaians.

Atik Mohammed emphasized the need for an upward adjustment in the amount paid by beneficiaries to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) for the effective implementation of the scheme.

Currently, individuals pay an annual premium ranging from GH¢ 8 to GH¢ 12 to enrol onto the NHIS.

Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show on Thursday, Atik argued that the current premium of 8 cedis per year per patient is low and should be increased for the sustainability of the health insurance system.

"You pay a premium to take care of a risk, and the risk of falling sick is 8 cedis.

“No insurance company will take 8 cedis as premium. No insurance company will do that.

“We admit it is the government's insurance, but let's be reasonable. Let's be realistic; this is why we are suffering...I feel that, realistically, we need to do something about the premium," Atik expressed.

Atik further proposed that the government allocates the health levy it receives to support the NHIA and the broader health sector.