Ghana’s healthcare delivery faces a significant disruption as the Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHFAoG) has suspended services under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) at all its member facilities, effective immediately.
The decision stems from prolonged delays in reimbursement by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), with claims unpaid since September and October 2024.
The association, which represents private healthcare providers nationwide, says the financial strain caused by the unpaid claims has become unsustainable, forcing them to halt services to NHIS cardholders.
In a statement signed by PHFAoG President Dr. Kwame Buabeng-Frimpong on Friday, April 4, the group expressed frustration over what it described as repeated broken promises from the NHIA.
“Facilities across the country are struggling to stay afloat. The lack of payments has made it nearly impossible to maintain quality care and meet operational costs,” Dr. Buabeng-Frimpong stated.
This latest development follows a failed commitment by the NHIA to clear outstanding debts by the end of March—a promise that the association says led many providers to reassure suppliers and creditors, only to be left in an even more difficult position when funds failed to materialize.
While acknowledging the inconvenience to patients, PHFAoG emphasized that the move is a last resort to protect their facilities from further financial collapse.
NHIS subscribers have been advised to make alternative arrangements and be prepared to pay out of pocket for services at private facilities until the matter is resolved.
The association is calling on the NHIA to act swiftly to settle the arrears and establish a reliable payment system that prevents similar disruptions in the future.
This suspension threatens to widen healthcare access gaps, particularly for low-income patients who rely on NHIS to afford care at private hospitals and clinics across the country.
