President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Frank Serebour has advocated  for a boost in the per-patient allocation under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover escalating hospital utility bills.The current practice, where health facility directors settle water and electricity expenses from NHIS claims and internally generated funds, is deemed unsustainable by Dr. Serebour.

“Initially, government was paying our utility bills. Once the government has decided not to pay, realistic tariffs that factors in the cost of electricity and water should be paid,” Dr. Frank Serebour stated in an interview on Abusua FM.His call comes at a time the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is pursuing some 91 hospitals for owing them about Ghc261 million in debt.“The current situation is challenging, with entities like the Electricity Company of Ghana requiring their payments while hospitals are facing unprecedented hard times,” he stressed.

Highlighting the strain faced by hospitals, particularly those in remote areas heavily reliant on NHIS, Dr. Serebour emphasised the need for realistic tariffs that account for utility costs.“How can I manage the facility with the remaining amount left? It’s not possible,” he noted.He pointed out that facilities like the Bekwai Government Hospital spend a significant portion of NHIS claims on electricity alone, leaving inadequate funds for overall management.“These are government-owned facilities, measures should be put in place so that the government can pay these bills on behalf of the people, or tariffs are adjusted in such a way that Insurance money will cover them because we’re all contributing to the payment,” he noted.

Expressing concern over the mounting debts owed by hospitals to entities like the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Dr. Serebour warned of dire consequences for healthcare delivery unless the government addresses utility bill payments for essential public services.

In addition to urging transparent processes for NHIS fund collection and allocation, Dr. Serebour proposed a thorough reassessment of the system to ensure sustainability and fair distribution of resources among stakeholders.