Yes, that is the answer

About two months ago, we criticized the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Authority (NHIA), Mr. Sylvester Mensah, for failing to prosecute Service Providers who were accused of acts of embezzlement and fraud in the scheme, in Kumasi. After exposing those behind this fraudulent acts which led to the loss of several millions of Ghana cedis to the state, Mr. Mensah failed to tell the public as to whether the people would be prosecuted or not.

The Chronicle is, however, happy to note that Mr. Sylvester Mensah and his management have changed their position on the matter and are now determined to prosecute those who try to defraud the scheme.

A report carried by the Ghanaians Times yesterday quoted Mr. Mensah as saying that his outfit has started the process to prosecute all officers and Service Providers who have indulged in corrupt practices under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

It is our contention that the prosecution of these nation wreckers who tried to cheat on the system is the only way the NHIA can ensure the sustenance of the scheme. NHIS is the best way to finance health care, as pertains even in the developed world.

Every Ghanaian therefore has the duty to ensure that such unscrupulous people do not destroy the scheme due to their own selfish ends. Ghana is a poor country that needs a health scheme of this nature to build its human resource capacity.

Despite the reservations that are being expressed about the management of the scheme, a lot of Ghanaians, especially those in the deprived communities, are still enjoying its benefits.

Those who are trying to bring it down through fraudulent means, as was reported in Kumasi sometime ago, must therefore be considered as enemies to the state and dealt with according to the laws of the land, without any mercy.