Parliament approves GH¢10bn for NHIA

On Friday, May 30, the Parliament of Ghana approved the 2025 formula for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). They allocated 10 billion Ghana Cedi to this Fund.

The NHIF supports the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). This scheme aims to provide healthcare access for all Ghanaians.

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) manages the NHIF. They ensure citizens receive adequate care under the NHIS.

The proposed disbursement formula includes:
- GH¢6.5 billion for 2025 claims (65.1%)
- GH¢1.2 billion for NHIA operational expenses (12.3%)
- GH¢124 million for district offices (1.2%)
- GH¢984 million for the Ministry of Health (9.8%)

In a media address at Parliament House in Accra, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, spoke about funding increases. In 2024, six billion Ghana cedis were allocated to the NHIF.

This year’s allocation of GH¢10 billion marks a significant increase in resources. The Minister explained that uncapping the NHIF in the 2025 Budget allows excess funds to support primary healthcare.

These funds will also fill revenue gaps from reduced donor support and aid the Ghana Trust Fund, known as ‘Mahama Care’.

Mr. Akandoh mentioned that additional funds would be allocated for dialysis treatment under the NHIS. The Mahama-led Government had established a policy framework for dialysis treatment in Ghana.

He noted that statistics show non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cause 45% of mortality in Ghana. The Mahama Care initiative will fund chronic NCDs like stroke and kidney infections.

The National Health Insurance Fund is financed through several sources:
- The National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL)
- Contributions from Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)
- Returns on NHIF investments

The NHIF ensures that the NHIS provides financial access to quality healthcare for Ghanaians since its establishment in 2003.