The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo, has assured Ghanaians that then when he is voted into office, he will revive the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which has collapsed under President John Mahama.
According to him, the last NPP government, led by President Kufuor, introduced the NHIS to remove the constant fear of falling ill under the inhumane Cash & Carry system. However, he noted that it has been painful to watch the NDC government, over the last 7 years, do its best to collapse the NHIS
He added that the Mahama government has created so much instability in the system, Ghanaians no longer have confidence in the scheme.
"I am coming to revive the National Health Insurance Scheme, which ensured that the poor in society gained access to healthcare without the financial burden which used to be associated with healthcare delivery (under the cash and carry regime)," he said.
Nana Akufo-Addo, in assuring Ghanaians of his party’s ability to reviving the scheme, recounted how the NHIS policy, when proposed by then candidate Kufuor, in the run-up to the 2000 elections, was bastardised by the late Prof. Mills and other NDC stalwarts, describing it as not feasible.
"When President Kufuor won, he duly implemented the policy – a policy which was of immense benefit to all Ghanaians. God-willing, when I win this year’s elections, I will revive the NHIS for the benefit of all Ghanaians," he assured.
The NPP flagbearer made this known on Saturday, July 9, 2016, when he addressed residents of Nkrankwanta and Diaba, both in the Dormaa West constituency of the Brong Ahafo Region, on day 2 of his 5-day tour of the region.