Dormaa Health Insurance runs into difficulties

The Dormaa District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, expected to take-off early next year, has run into a problem of an appropriate premium for contributors.

This came to light at the general meeting of stakeholders that preceded the official launch of the scheme at Dormaa-Ahenkro.

The District Mutual Health Insurance committee has proposed 30,000 cedis as the premium to cover both emergencies and admissions but other stakeholders have mentioned 72,000 cedis as the ideal premium.

Mr. Jonathan Berko, Secretary of the committee, said in view of the financial background of the people 30,000 cedis were appropriate.

He said the scheme has been able to take-off in Jaman, Tano and Asutifi districts in the region with the premium ranging between 25,000 cedis and 35,000 cedis.

Mr. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, a Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said the National Health Insurance Scheme Law stipulates that the premium to be contributed by stakeholders is 72,000 cedis to cover emergencies, admissions and OPD services. ''It will be in the interest of all stakeholders if the required premium is paid to enable them to enjoy quality health care,'' he said.

Most of the people at the meeting expressed regret about the inability of the stakeholders to reach a consensus on the premium.Another general meeting will therefore be held on December 15 to fix the premium.