Health Services Workers' Union appeals to Gov’t

BY EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE

The Health Service Workers’Union (HSWU) of the Trades Union of Ghana (TUC) has appealed to government to reconsider its position on the coverage of diseases as well as remittances to accredited service providers.

According to the Union, the appeal stems from the exclusion of certain treatments and services by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which subjects Ghanaians to some financial difficulties.

Delivering a statement in Accra last week of August to mark the 4th anniversary week celebration of the Union, Abu D. Kuntulo, General Secretary, HSWU, lamented that after enacting the National Health Insurance Act 2012 (Act 852) to salvage the unsustainable tax-funded free healthcare system of Ghana, certain treatments and services have been excluded by the Scheme.

Noting that “by the National Health Insurance Act, treatment of diseases, diagnostic testing/operations, specialist care, surgeries, oral health and maternity care services are all covered by the Scheme,” Abu Kuntulo stated, “The Union is however disturbed with the exclusion of certain treatments and services by the Scheme; and states that the situation subjects Ghanaians to some financial difficulties.”

“The HSWU further bemoans the fact that payments for services provided to the NHIS are overly delayed, therefore putting unnecessary pressure on the Management and staff of Health Institutions,” the General Secretary indicated further, citing a typical example as when the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) in March 2013 suspended its services to card bearers of the NHIS until their remittances were paid by the NHIA.

“In such circumstances, the Union wishes to appeal to Government to reconsider its position on the coverage of diseases as well as remittances to accredited service providers” the Union stressed.

Touching on the NHIS, the Union noted it is imperative an undivided and holistic attention is paid to the implementation of the Scheme, given the fact that it is to secure the implementation of the National Health Insurance Policy, that the Scheme was adopted. The purpose being to ensure that all citizens of Ghana have access to basic healthcare services.

With regards to teamwork and collaborative care, the Union noted that although improved teamwork and collaborative care have been shown to improve performance in many aspects of the healthcare delivery system, it has also observed that teamwork, unity and harmony at the facility level, can significantly reduce workloads, increase job satisfaction and retention and reduce patient mortality.

Expressing its confidence that teamwork and collaborative care impact positively in reducing negative health outcomes for patients, the Union opined it will also help improve the system of healthcare, delivering benefits to all and improving substantially as well as the health status of Ghanaians.

“Also on teamwork and collaborative care, the Union would like to appeal to Government and the Health Sector Authorities on one hand and Workers, Unions and Labour Associations on the other, to imbibe the principles of teamwork and collaborative care. This they would do, knowing that teamwork and collaborative care are essential for quality healthcare delivery in Ghana” the statement indicated.