Abstract:
The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of the NHIS on ensuring accessibility
to quality health care in the Ga East Municipality, especially by the poor and under-privileged;
and to assess whether comparatively, subscribers or non-subscribers get easier access to health
care. To do this, a mixed method approach was adopted in data collection and analyses. Thus, a
semi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide were employed for data collection.
Quantitative data so collected was analysed using SPSS 18 while the qualitative data was
analysed based on the emerging themes through colour coding. In all 208 health respondents
were contacted for data- 200 for quantitative and 8 for qualitative.
Findings have it that comparatively; NHIS subscribers have better access to quality formal health
care than non-subscribers. Subscribers and their children under 18 years have access to free OPD
services, laboratory services, some surgical services, consultation and dispensary services at
public and some private health facilities. Non-subscribers would have to pay for all such services
when seeking health care.
Subscribers however, have to spend more waiting time, suffer verbal abuses, and at times,
frowned at for using NHIS card rather than cash. Subscribers may also pay extra money to cover
for extra drugs and services not covered in the scheme. Poverty and negative perceptions were
realized as the major barriers to subscription to the NHIS.
In view of the findings, it was recommended that the drug list and surgical operations list be
expanded to cover many other common health conditions; health workers who discriminate
against NHIS card holders should be sanctioned, and that the NHIA should settle claims by the
service providers promptly. Finally, more health workers were to be produced to lessen the
burden on the few available.
