Make NHIS Compulsory - Professor
Professor Paul Nyame, Rector of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, has suggested that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) should be compulsory to enable every Ghanaian to have free medical care at hospitals.
He said poverty in the country has reached such levels that many people are unable to access health care because of huge medical bills.
Prof. Nyame said this yesterday at the launch of Sharecare Ghana, a support group of people with autoimmune disease.
Autoimmune disease is a chronic disease that attacks the body’s immune system, and affects body tissues, cells and organs.
The symptoms include loss of vision and malfunctioning of the spinal cord, muscle weakness, weakness in the legs, hair loss, visual impairment and memory loss.
The association aims to campaign for the inclusion of autoimmune diseases in NHIS list and advocate for research on the disease.
It also seeks to advocate proper implementation of the Disability Act of Ghana in conjunction with the Ghana Federation of the Disabled.
Prof. Nyame appealed to the public to contribute towards researching more and providing cure for the disease.
He said there are only four trained physicians in the country who must be supported to attend to victims of the disease.
The Minister of Health, Major (rtd) Courage Quashigah, in an address read on his behalf, said there is generally no cure for the disease and patients have to be on medications to improve their well being.
The policy goals of the ministry is to ensure that people live long, healthy and productive lives and reproduce without risk of injury or death.
He said government’s policy is to ensure that people with autoimmune disorders live long, healthy and reproductive lives.
'It is government’s policy to develop systems to reduce the burden, mortality and disability suffered by those afflicted with disorders and reduce inequality in access to health and health services,' he added.
The Minister said the government is improving access to health services by expanding facilities, training of professionals to support the management and care of all types of diseases.
He assured of the Ministry’s support to the group in achieving its goals.
The coordinator of Sharecare Ghana, Nana Yaa Agyeman, said the group is seeking research, better diagnostics and treatment in curing the disease that has been largely ignored in the country.