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FORMER CHIEF Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, Ras Boateng has said the insurance is in a state of coma, accusing the current managers of running down the scheme. The current chief executive, Sylvester Mensah had branded Mr. Boateng who pioneered the scheme a liar because of his criticism of the running of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Mr. Boateng contended that the NHIS had been so badly managed that it was under life support because of mismanagement by Sylvester Mensah. The former CEO said the abysmal performance of managers of the scheme in just three and a half years which had led to a decrease in subscribership nationwide was legendary. Ras Boateng�s assertion contradicts the position held by the Mr. Mensah who claims to have expanded and improved management of the scheme. Sylvester Mensah has therefore challenged the former NHIA head to a debate over management of the scheme. Speaking on Asempa Fm�s Ekosii Sen programme Monday, Mr. Boateng said the NHIS boss was being economical with the truth just to save his job. According to him, Mr. Mensah was under pressure from his superiors to paint a rosy picture about the scheme ahead of the December general elections. He alleged that Mensah�s awful performance and profligate expenditure at the authority had made the scheme a net borrower. DAILY GUIDE checks at health facilities indicate that NHIS subscribers were asked to buy their own drugs after consultations, sending patients back to the inimical old cash and carry system. Some NHIS authorized hospitals don�t recognize subscribers because of non-payment of user bills.