Deprived people call for help from NHIS

Awutu-Okwampa (C/R), Dec. 26, GNA- A group of vulnerable people in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District of the Central Region have made an appeal to Parliamentarians to consider using part of their shares of the common fund to pay the registration fees and premiums of the National Insurance Scheme (NHIS) of the economically distressed people in their constituencies.

This would enable such people to enjoy the immense benefits of the new National Health delivery policy. They made the call during interactions with Mr. Joseph Yaw Owusu-Kwarteng, Public Relations Officer of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (AESDMHIS) at Awutu-Okwampa. This was when Mr. Owusu-Kwarteng visited a number of communities in the district to educate the inhabitants on the NHIS as part of activities to round off the year.

Mr. Owusu-Kwarteng said most of the people who endorsed the use of portions of the shares of the MP's common for the payment of NHIS registration fees and especially premiums were farmers whose annual economic returns were nothing to write home about. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the importance of the scheme, Mr. Owusu-Kwarteng said, although an appreciable number of people in the district had been registered, there is still more to be done to rope in the rest, especially the most vulnerable people amongst them. He disclosed that during discussions with Madam Veronica Effenam, Midwife in-charge of the Okuampa Health Post, it came to light that majority of the prospective clients of the scheme who registered over a year ago and made part payments of their premiums have not been able to complete full payment of their premiums.

According to the PRO, the situation has virtually compelled Madam Effinam to give back their deposits to them because she cannot hold onto their deposits ranging from one Ghana Cedi or 10,000 Old Cedis to three Ghana Cedis or 30,000 Old Cedis for any longer. Madam Effinam, the PRO further disclosed, had advised the villagers to adopt the 'SUSU' savings method to assist them in this regard.