Accra, July 17, GNA - Sheik I.C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister on Sunday urged senior citizens to register for the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable them to benefit from improved health care delivery. He said although government currently provides free medical treatment for citizens above the age of 70 years, loopholes such as denial of drugs, at times was defeating the purpose of the scheme.
The National Health Insurance, he said, had an in-built mechanism to prevent the denial of services to the aged. Sheik Quaye was speaking at a reception hosted for Senior Citizens in the Greater Accra Region to mark the 45th anniversary celebration of Ghana's Republic and Senior Citizens Day.
Over 150 Senior Citizens defied the late afternoon rains to attend the get together.
The Minister lauded the contribution the Senior citizens made to the development of the nation and encouraged them to continue to offer direction to the youth and the working force to spur them on to give the best to the country.
They must also help to influence the negative attitude of workers such as disloyalty resulting in leakage of official document, absenteeism, lateness, among others, by going to the offices to inspire and infuse a sense of patriotism in the workers. Such negative traits among the workers could not propel the country to its goal of a per capita income of 1,000 dollars.
"Your presence at your former workplace through your association will help reduce these negative tendencies and put the nation firmly on track for the achievement of our objectives," he said.
Sheik Quaye assured the Senior Citizens of efforts government was making to improve the lives of pensioners, saying that government would soon come out with a human centred statement after studying the report of the Presidential Commission on Pensions. He said the government's position would definitely encourage the current work force and also provide relief for the retired. The Minister expressed government's commitment to bring development to all communities. July 17 05
