The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has suspended three pharmacies from participating in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) over what it describes as suspected fraudulent claims and irregular service transactions.

In a public notice issued on Thursday, May 14, the NHIA announced that the affected facilities have been placed under “immediate temporary suspension” following a routine claims verification exercise.

The suspended pharmacies are DELDEM PHARMA LIMITED, PARAMEDICA PHARMACY and DESH CHEMIST.

According to the NHIA, the suspension takes effect on May 14.

The NHIA said investigations uncovered “material irregularities in claims and service transactions associated with these facilities”.

It added that the findings had “raised reasonable suspicion of fraud and abuse under the NHIS Provider Service Agreement”.

As part of the suspension, the pharmacies will no longer be allowed to provide services or dispense medicines under the NHIS until further notice.

“The pharmacies are not permitted to provide services or dispense medicines under the NHIS during the suspension,” the statement said.

The NHIA has therefore advised NHIS members seeking pharmaceutical services to visit other accredited providers across the country.

“NHIS members who require pharmaceutical services are encouraged to seek care from other credentialed NHIS providers nationwide,” the NHIA stated.

The NHIA also issued a strong warning to all accredited healthcare providers, stressing that it would not tolerate practices that threaten the sustainability of the scheme.

“The Authority will not tolerate fraudulent or abusive practices that undermine the sustainability of the NHIS, which may deprive members of quality healthcare services,” the statement warned.

The Authority further reminded service providers of the legal consequences of defrauding the Scheme.

“A healthcare provider providing services under the National Health Insurance Scheme who defrauds or attempts to defraud the Scheme commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment of not more than ten (10) years or both,” the notice added.

The statement, signed by the Chief Executive of the NHIA, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to accountability and the proper use of public funds.

“The NHIA remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and the prudent use of public funds in delivering accessible and quality healthcare to all residents of Ghana,” the statement said.

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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says it has enhanced surveillance in Ghana after an outbreak of Hantavirus on a cruise ship, which has now docked in Cape Verde.

In a statement the GHS assured that no case of Hantavirus has been recorded in Ghana, but enhanced surveillance measures have been instituted following the docking of the cruise ship in Cape Verde.

Eight suspected cases have been reported on the cruise ship, with five confirmed and three deaths.

READ ALSO: Hantavirus Outbreak Risk To Public ‘Absolutely Low’ – WHO

The crew were largely from the Philippines, while passengers came from the US, Europe, South America, Australia, and parts of Asia.

Low global risk but vigilance advised

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US CDC, after a risk assessment, have indicated that the overall global public health risk remains low, but countries have been advised to strengthen surveillance and preparedness measures.

Hantavirus is a viral disease primarily spread through contact with infected rodents, especially through exposure to their urine, droppings, saliva, or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle pain, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and, in severe cases, breathing difficulties.

READ ALSO: Three Dead In Suspected Virus Outbreak On Atlantic Cruise Ship

Public health measures being implemented

In a press release, it was explained that the Ministry of Health and GHS are using its structures including Port Health, together with health partners, to institute precautionary public health measures to prevent any possible spread into Ghana.

These include enhanced surveillance of all ports of entry, including airports and seaports; increased monitoring and reporting of unusual respiratory illnesses in health facilities nationwide; public health education on rodent control and environmental sanitation; strengthened laboratory preparedness and rapid response systems; and collaboration with the WHO and international disease surveillance networks for timely information sharing.

Measures

The public has been advised to keep homes, workplaces, and surroundings clean to prevent rodent infestation; properly store food and dispose of waste promptly; avoid contact with rodents and their droppings; wear gloves and masks when cleaning rodent-infested areas; wash hands regularly with soap and clean water; and seek immediate medical attention if experiencing fever, difficulty breathing, or flu-like symptoms after possible exposure to rodents or recent international travel.

Assurance from GHS

“The Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service assure the public that Ghana’s disease surveillance systems remain active and responsive. Citizens are urged to remain calm, avoid misinformation and follow official public health guidance,” the statement read.

Ms. Doris Ocansey, the Adolescent Health Focal Person at the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate, has cautioned adolescents and young people against the frequent use of emergency contraceptive pills, warning that abuse could have adverse health implications.

She explained that emergency contraceptive pills contained significantly higher levels of hormones compared to standard daily contraceptives.

Ms. Ocansey noted that while regular contraceptive pills were designed to be taken over a 28-day cycle, emergency pills were intended strictly for use within 24 to 48 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.

She cautioned that repeated intake of such high hormonal doses, which the body did not require on a regular basis, could result in menstrual irregularities and possible fertility challenges.

Ms. Ocansey emphasized the need for health personnel to continue promoting abstinence among adolescents and young people, even though many were sexually active.

She said that while condoms and other contraceptive methods were available, condoms remained the only option that provided dual protection against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. She added, however, that condoms did not offer 100 percent protection.

According to her, abstinence remained the only guaranteed way of preventing both unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Touching on defilement and rape, Ms. Ocansey said healthcare providers were often the first point of contact for victims of sexual abuse.

She explained that while medical personnel provided immediate care, including testing and treatment for infections, responsibility for social interventions such as reporting cases to the appropriate authorities fell within the mandate of the District Social Welfare Office.

On abortion, Ms. Ocansey highlighted the health risks associated with the practice, particularly among young girls.

Responding to questions about allegations of healthcare workers performing abortions privately in their homes, she clarified that such acts were illegal and constituted a criminal offense.

She urged health professionals to report colleagues found to be engaging in such unlawful practices.

Ms. Ocansey advised young people against unsafe termination of pregnancies and encouraged them to seek care from recognized health institutions for their medical needs, rather than resorting to harmful concoctions and presenting at hospitals only when complications arose.

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