Inflation Has Caused Serious Liquidity Challenges For Health Care Providers – Health Service Administrators

• Health service administrators in Ghana want the government to work quickly to fix the economic challenges in Ghana
• The Association Of Health Service Administrators Ghana say inflation, the rising cost of fuel and exchange rate depreciation was affecting liquidity flow in the health sector
• In a statement released after their annual general meeting, the administrators called on the government to institute pragmatic measures to halt the rising inflation and exchange rate depreciation

Health service administrators in Ghana have asked the government to move quickly to solve the biting economic crisis characterised by high inflation, high fuel cost and exchange rate depreciation.

The Association Of Health Service Administrators, Ghana (AHSAG) has said in a statement that the current economic challenges have resulted in an astronomical increase in the cost of health commodities and other inputs for quality healthcare delivery.

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Public Relations Officer of AHSAG Abulais Yaro Haruna told YEN.com.gh during an exclusive interview that service fees and charged on government remain fixed by Parliament and NHIA, thereby eroding the meagre margins that come into the coffers of public health facilities.

"This has led to serious liquidity challenge for health care providers resulting in delayed payment for dr*gs and non-drug consumables with major pharma[ceu]tical suppliers demanding payment on delivery," the AHSAG statement read.

The statement by the health service administrators follows their 45th Annual General Meeting and Continuing Professional Education Programme held in Takoradi from November 29 to December 2, 2022.

The health service administrations called on the government to institute pragmatic measures to halt the rising inflation and exchange rate depreciation to address the prevailing harsh economic conditions.

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"We further call for an interim NHIS tariff dispensation and immediate reimbursement of outstanding claims to avert eminent shortage of medical commodities and the possible collapse of health care facilities in the country," the statement admonished.

They also want the health ministry to develop and implement strategies to retain the needed number of health professionals, like doctors and nurses, with the appropriate skills mix to ensure sustained delivery of quality health care at all levels of Ghana's health system.

Nurse-For-Cash Agreement Between Ghana And United Kingdom Announced In Parliament By Health Minister

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh has reported in a separate story that the health minister Kweku Agyeman-Manu has announced plans by Ghana to send registered nurses to the United Kingdom for cash.

The minister told Parliament on December 5, 2022, that Ghana could make £1,000 for each sent to the UK.

He disclosed that there are ongoing bilateral talks between Ghana and UK to introduce a similar deal already in existence between Ghana and Barbados.

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Source: YEN.com.gh