Minority raises concerns over 20% NHIF allocation to Mahama Cares

The Minority in Parliament is raising red flags over a government decision to redirect a portion of the National Health Insurance Fund to a new health program.

The Minority Caucus is now questioning the allocation of 20 percent of the National Health Insurance Fund to the recently launched “Mahama Cares” health initiative.

The group says the move could undermine the core mandate of the National Health Insurance Scheme, which is to fund basic healthcare services, including medicines and payments to healthcare providers.

A Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Health Committee, Dr. Ayew Afriyie, insisted that the proposed fund should be financed through a separate, dedicated revenue stream.

According to him, diverting these funds to support chronic and high-cost treatments under the Mahama Cares programme could strain the already limited resources of the NHIS.

The minority is therefore calling on government to provide full transparency, provide details on how the funds will be managed, monitored, and whether the decision complies with existing health insurance laws.

They also warn that this new initiative could compromise essential healthcare services for millions of Ghanaians unless clear legal and financial guidelines are followed.

Responding to the concerns, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, dismissed claims that the programme is a threat to the NHIS.

The Health Ministry is however yet to officially respond to these concerns.