1,000 elderly persons enrolled onto NHIS, EBAN Cards in B/A

Elderly men and women, 65 years and above in the Techiman Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region have benefitted from a programme by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to register the aged onto NHIS and the Eban Elderly Welfare Card programme. 1,000 aged people in the Techiman Municipality were registered and issued with NHIS and Eban cards instantly.

This, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur said is part of the governing National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) manifesto pledge to ensure the elderly in the country live in dignity. The registration which was free of charge will enable the elderly access free health care with the NHIS, while holders of the Eban Cards would enjoy preferential treatment in the use of some social services.

The Eban Card will allow the aged 65 years and above, to board the Metro Mass Transit (MMT) Buses and other recognized private transport unions, at a 50 per cent reduced fare. The card will also enable the aged get priority access to services in banks, hospitals and bus terminals and other social services.

The sector Minister, Nana Oye Lithur supervised the exercise. Speaking at the ceremony which was attended by the chiefs and elders of Techiman, Nana Oye Lithur stated that the exercise demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensure that elderly people get the best of care in Ghana.

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection launched the Eban Card project in January. A pilot exercise has ended and a national rollout for 25,000 beneficiaries is ongoing.

“So far, 9,525 elderly persons in the Central, Western, Volta, Eastern and Greater Accra Regions have been issued with the Cards, the Minister said.

500 elderly persons were registered for the NHIS free of charge at the event which took place at the forecourt of the Techiman Traditional Council. The registration of elderly persons free of charge for NHIS is collaboration

between the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

The Gender Minister stressed, that “the Government believes that when our mothers and fathers are able to have quick access to social services, especially health, it relieves them of stress, frustration and tiredness, which gradually deteriorates their conditions”. Nana Oye Lithur added that for her, it is always an honour and a great joy to put smiles on the faces of our beloved mothers and fathers who have toiled and sacrificed for the better Ghana we are enjoying today”.

She also said that the ministry has finalized the draft Ageing Bill to address issues affecting the elderly, saying a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between Ghana and Denmark for the provision of Geriatric care in the country.

Nana Owusu Agyare who stood in for the Paramount Chief of the Techiman Traditional area commended the government for the gesture.

He said the exercise will go a long way to help alleviate the suffering of the aged, adding that ongoing policies such as the putting up of old age homes must be carried out.

Philip Oppong-Amponsah the Municipal Chief Executive of Techiman reiterated that the free registrations of the aged on NHIS and Eban cards will ensure that the aged are well taken care of.