Bechem records low registration for Health Insurance Scheme

Bechem (B/A), Nov. 5 GNA - Only 13,000 out of the adult population of 40,000 at Bechem in the Tano District of Brong Ahafo have registered for the National Health Scheme that is expected to take off next January.

Mr Nicholas L. Anane-Agyei, District Chief Executive, said this on Tuesday when the Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, who is on seven-day working tour of the region, called on him. He expressed regret that the remaining 27,000 unregistered adults had adopted the traditional "wait-and-see" attitude but expressed the hope for a change with time.

Each registered member paid a flat premium of 20,000 cedis for a year, the DCE said.

He said the district recruited 550 people for this year's cocoa spraying exercise in the area and they are grouped into 50 gangs of 11 persons in a gang.

Each spraying worker received a monthly salary of 250,000 cedis in addition to free supply of a pair of Wellington boots.

Mr Anane-Agyei said this year's exercise in the district had achieved the intended purpose as cocoa farmers who had decided to divert to the cultivation of other commodities had gone back into the industry. The DCE, however, complained about COCOBOD'S refusal to pay the spraying machine mechanics since last year for their services.

Mr Boateng expressed dissatisfaction with the low registration for the Health Insurance Scheme and asked the DCE and the District Assembly to ensure that majority of the population register.

''It is through the spontaneous response by Ghanaians for the scheme that the Government's aim of health for all can be achieved,' Mr Boateng said.