A special audit exercise undertaken by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has found 10 national health insurance scheme managers, accountants and five service providers in the Ashanti Region culpable of misappropriating funds.

 They have been interdicted and asked to report to the Ashanti Regional Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in Kumasi for further investigations.

The schemes involved are Asokwa, Manhyia and Subin Sub-Metropolitan Areas all within Kumasi Metropolitan Area, Sekyere East, Atwima Nwabiagya, Asante Akim North, Asante Akim South, Offinso, Ejisu-Juaben and Afigya Sekyere Districts.

The service providers are Yaw Opoku Mensah Chemical Shop, Western Pharmacy and Saint Dominic Pharmacy, at Sekyere East District.

The rest are Apikrist Pharmacy and A.A Adams Pharmacy at Offinso District.

Briefing the media in Accra on Friday, Mr Sylvester Mensah, Executive Secretary of NHIA said though the culprits had been interdicted and being investigated, "until SFO completes its investigations and submit the findings; we cannot say they have embezzled funds".

Information available indicated that at the Asokwa Sub-Metropolitan Scheme Office, the officials could not account for GH¢ 569,104.02 being revenue for the payment of provider claims.

The accountant at Sekyere East District could not account for GH¢ 66,121 of premium and processing fees.

He however admitted the offence and refunded GH¢ 10,000 , while the scheme manager misapplied GH¢ 800,000 meant for claims for other purposes.

It was directed that the scheme should cease transacting business with the following unaccredited providers: Yaw Opoku Mensah Chemical Shop, Western Pharmacy and Saint Dominic Pharmacy.

PF