Health Ministry Makes U-Turn On Compulsory Health Insurance For Foreign Visitors: “Not Yet”

• The Health Ministry has given clarity on the proposed mandatory health insurance for foreign visitors
• The ministry said the mandatory health insurance for foreign visitors remains a proposal, not a government policy
• The policy would require non-resident visitors arriving in Ghana to have a health insurance policy before entry into Ghana

The Health Ministry has said the cabinet has not approved the proposed mandatory health insurance for foreign visitors.

The ministry has explained that it remains a proposal, not a government policy.

In a statement, the ministry said the matter has not yet been discussed 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," part of the statement read.

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The matter sparked controversy during a media briefing last week when the Technical Working Group on the Visitors Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) said the policy would begin on July 1, 2024.

The policy would require non-resident visitors arriving in Ghana to have a health insurance policy before entry into Ghana.

NHIA CEO's defence of scheme

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Da-Costa Aboagye, says it is about time Ghana extended its universal health coverage to non-Ghanaians.

Speaking on Citi TV, Dr Aboagye said enrolling foreign nationals in the scheme would benefit the country.

He said the programme could be made mandatory for all foreign nationals visiting the country to ensure that the foreigner would be insured during an emergency.

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He said it would also save the government the burden of covering some of these foreigners' health expenses when they come to Ghana.

Dr Aboagye revealed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, foreigners who had trooped into Ghana were not insured, leaving the burden of their health expenses on the government of Ghana.

He said that had such a policy been in place, the insurance would have handled such expenses.

Ghana records first-ever case of rare fatal disease

YEN.com.gh reported that a rare Wilson’s disease case was recorded in a 13-year-old boy at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

The condition affects one out of 30,000 people in developed countries but is believed to be the first in Ghana.

The Head of the Neuro-Developmental Clinic at the hospital's Department of Child Health said the disease was treatable.

Proofread by Edwina N.K Quarcoo, journalist and copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh