"Join NHIS and stop abandoning relations at hospitals"-

Koforidua, May 27,GNA - The Administrator of the Koforidua Regional Hospital, Mr Lucio Derry, had advised families in the Eastern Region to register with the District Health Insurance Schemes to stop the embarrassment of abandoning their relations at the hospitals because of their inability to pay their medical bills.

He made the appeal at the inauguration of the New Juaben Branch of the Professional Videomen Association at Koforidua on Wednesday. Mr Derry complained that many patients discharged by the Koforidua Regional Hospital had been abandoned by their relations, who have refused to take advantage of the flexible arrangements being offered them by the hospital to help them settle the bills, some of which run into millions of cedis.

He explained that among the measures that the hospital had put in place to help the patients and their relations to settle their bills was for them to pay 70 per cent of the cost of the medical bills and then enter into an arrangements with the hospital on how the rest of the money could be paid gradually.

Mr Derry said in the worse situation, the hospital was even prepared to take on the issue on case - to - case basis to see how best it could support the families concern to pay the bills, but some of the families were not prepared to co-operate with the hospital administration.

He advised the members of the Videomen Association to join the health insurance scheme to ensure that, they do not get caught up in the situation of those whose relations had abandoned them at the hospital.

The Acting Manager of the Koforidua Branch of Ghana Commercial Bank, Mr Isaac Ocran called on the members of the Association to have time and care for the total interest of their clients.

He urged the leadership of the Association to register the association and encourage its members to honour their tax obligations and contribute towards the development of the country.

Mr Ocran called for the establishment of an institute for the training of video and photo cameramen in the Eastern Region and urged the members of the Association to help market the culture of the country.

The Asukwahene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Kwesi Asante advised the members of the Association to avoid excessive drinking and to be conscious of their dressing to functions to help protect the image of the Association. He urged members of the Association to be law abiding and assured them of the support of the traditional authorities in the area.