Mahama's Free Basic Health Care Is 'Actuarial Nonsense' - Former Health Minister

A former Minister of Health and a Member of Parliament (MP) for Sefwi-Wiawso constituency, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie has described former President Mahama's free basic Health care policy as actuarial nonsense.

According to him, such a policy is difficult to implement as it may put pressure on the country's resources.

" . . You may also be forced to take more taxes and burden the minority few who are already burdened with heavy taxes in this country," he said.

The Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, says a new NDC government will implement a Free Primary Health Care Plan to provide health for all Ghanaians.

He stressed, “this will remove cost as a barrier to healthcare and ensure health for all.”

This means regardless of the validity or otherwise of one’s NHIS card, that person can access health care at no cost at the district level.

Mr. Mahama said the free primary healthcare plan, which will be available to all patients in CHPS compounds, polyclinics, health centers, and district hospitals, will ensure that the most common illnesses afflicting Ghanaians are detected and treated early, before complications set in.

But speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' program, the Minister of State at the presidency who was very instrumental in the implementation of the health insurance policy explained that even with the normal health insurance policy government is now perfecting it.

The Health Insurance policy just like every government comes with its attendant problems. Even with this few, Ghanaians are unable to access it due to the fact that they do not have or might have misplaced their ID Cards.

"It is not even easy to maintain this type of health insurance. It is very capital intensive. However, in this country, you have a few people paying taxes.

"So if you want to practice this kind of Health Insurance then you will put a whole lot of pressure on the scanty taxes the government is taking from the few Ghanaians who are paying their taxes.

"So the Mahama policy of free basic health care is just to deceive Ghanaians for votes," he said.