The Role of Alternative Funding Sources in Health Care Financing: A Case Study of Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The Role of Alternative Funding Sources in Health Care Financing: A Case Study of Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Golda Shamiria Meir Asmah

Health care Financing has become a major concern for many countries because it ensures that the health care needs of all citizens of a country are catered for during times of ill health. Since the inception of the NHIS, there has been a progressive widening of its funding gap mainly due to inadequate funding sources, which is threatening the sustainability of the scheme. This motivated the study to be conducted to establish the role of Alternative Funding sources in Health Care Financing, using Ghana’s NHIS as a case study. A mixture of qualitative and quantitative approaches was adopted to address the research objectives. Both primary and secondary data were used for data collection. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used for the study to administer questionnaires to a sample of eighty (80) staff of the operations division of the NHIA out of a population of hundred (100) staff. Regression and correlation analysis were performed based on secondary data from NHIS. The results of the study revealed various sustainable alternative funding sources that could bridge the funding gap and enhance the health system of Ghana. The study also found that, a positive relationship exists between the membership subscription and income growth. It recorded a regression coefficient of 0.97 and a sig. value of 0.001. Further, measures to control the rising expenditure were found. Notwithstanding, some challenges could be faced in the long term as a result of the measures. From the study, it is recommended that government with the aid of parliament, Labor Union heads and stakeholders modify the health financing system of Ghana. Also, NHIA’s Management should review income from premium payment upwards and revise the exemption list of the scheme. Also a gradual implementation of co-payment forms should be introduced by management of NHIS to reduce the funding gap.

MBA in Finance

May 2018