Renowned New Patriotic Party (NPP) member, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has expressed shock over proposed mandatory health insurance policy for foreign nationals who visit Ghana.
According to reports, starting from July 1, 2024, foreign nationals arriving in Ghana would be required to purchase a compulsory health insurance policy between $45 to $270 before being admitted into the country.
Reacting to this, Gabby said he doesn’t think the story is true.
In a post on his X, the NPP stalwart questioned how possible the proposal should be.
“Oh how? This has to be fake!” He wrote.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye has explained that the policy is a proposal from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and not a policy of the government.
“The Ministry of Health would like to clarify that the recent announcement regarding a mandatory health isurance policy for non-Ghanaian resident visitors is a proposal from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and not a policy of the government.” He said in a press release dated June 18, 2024.
According to him, the proposal has not yet been discussed or approved by Cabinet.
“While the proposal aims to ensure that foreign nationals have access to healthcare during their stay in Ghana, it is important to note that it has not yet been discussed or approved by Cabinet.” The Minister added.
Dr Bernard Okoe Boye therefore urged the public to disregard any information that may suggest that the policy has been finalized for implementation.
He assured that any policy and its implementation shall be thoroughly scrutinized and teken through all the necessary protocols to establish its benefits for the people of Ghana before it would be implemented.
“We urge the public to disregard any information that may suggest that the policy has been finalized and its mode of implementation settled. We assured the public that any policy and its implementation shall be thoroughly scrutinized and taken through all the necessary protocols to establish its benefits for the people of Ghana before being settled on” Part of the released read.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
