SPMPD calls for involvement in NHIS training

Kumasi, Jan.4, GNA - The Society of Private Medical Practitioners and Dentists (SPMPD) has called on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) secretariat to involve its members in the training and capacity building programmes of the scheme.

It said even though some private health facilities were supposed to participate in the implementation of the NHIS, staff of private hospitals were not given opportunity to participate in the training programmes being organised to equip service providers to ensure the smooth implementation of the scheme.

Dr Kwame Antwi, Ashanti regional secretary of the SPMPD, made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, after an end of year get-together for staff of the County Hospital in Kumasi on Sunday.

He said private medical practitioners played important role in the health delivery system and there was the need for them to participate in any activity that would bring improvement in the health status of the people.

Dr Antwi, who is also the Managing director of the County hospital, said the hospital received 11,300 new patients in 2004, adding that the hospital was embarking on massive rehabilitation works to expand and raise it to international standards.

Dr Antwi said the hospital was also computerising all its operations and would establish an eye clinic to serve the people, thereby positioning it to become a leading private health facility in the region.

He thanked the staff of the hospital for their hard work and dedication, which he said had ensured the success of the hospital. Hardworking and dedicated staff of the hospital received prized at the function.