Members
of the Society of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners (SPMDP) in the Volta
region have lamented that persistent power crises coupled with delays by NHIS
authorities to reimburse funds to their facilities are crippling them to the
extent that they unable to pay workers’ salaries as well as redeem their social security
obligations.
The
Volta Regional President of SPMDP Dr Stephen Hoggar said the delays in
reimbursement of NHIS funds to private health facilities had in recent times
become a thorny issue in health delivery in the region. Whiles some of the
facilities are threatening to pull out of the NHIS others have been dragged to
court by SSNIT for default of their tax obligation. A few of are laying off
their workers to stay afloat in business.
“They
owe us about eight months; all that money is locked up somewhere and even if
they pay you the drugs you are supposed to buy now the price would go up. It means
our money is being devalued every time. What sort of business is that” he lamented.
Narrating
his ordeal Dr Stephen Hoggar, operator of Hoggar Clinic in Akatsi said he was
subjected to an endless string of legal suits from SSNIT for tax evasion even
at instances were presiding judges at the various courts recommended a schedule
payment to SNNIT. He added that the situation is not different in other private
health facilities countrywide where SSNIT is demanding upfront payments.
“I
think SSNIT, VAT and other government bodies should be flexible in demanding
taxes considering our current situation” he mooted.
He
lamented the situation does not only affect the health facilities but also deny
patients from accessing quality health care as most of drugs in facilities are
in short supply.
He
however called on statutory organizations like Social Security and National
Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and Ghana Revenue Authority to exercise patience in
demanding obligatory levies by allowing schedule payment.
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