Funds to finance health sector is the problem- Baako

Tolon, (NR), May 27, GNA- Mr Alhassan Baako, Tolon-Kumbungu District Chief Executive has said a major challenge facing the health sector was how to obtain additional resources to finance health care delivery for the vulnerable and the poor.

He noted that 60 per cent of Ghanaians live below the poverty line and their inability to access health services had affected the economic and social output of many Ghanaians.

Mr Baako was addressing members of the District Health Insurance Scheme (DHIS) Implementation Committee at a three-day workshop at Tolon on Wednesday.

The workshop was to equip members with basic knowledge and skills on the health insurance scheme to enable them to educate the people about its benefits.

Mr Baako noted that the vision of the government to replace the "cash and carry" system with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was to promote equitable access to health delivery in the country. He announced that the government had released 250 million cedis to the district as seed money towards the smooth take off of the scheme. He urged members of the committee not to politicise the scheme but to reach out to the people and explain its benefits to motivate them to register with it.

Mr Adam Haruna Meisuna, the District focal person of the Scheme said the introduction of the scheme was in the best interest of the people and urged them to patronise it.