Kassena-Nankana Health Insurance Scheme launched

Navrongo (U/E), May 1, GNA - The Kassena-Nankana District Health Insurance Scheme was on Friday, launched in Navrongo with a call on members of the Over-seeing Committee to work assiduously to make the scheme a success.

Mr Mahami Salifu, Upper East Regional Minister, who made the call, said the Scheme was introduced to enable all the people have access to health delivery and called on them to support the initiative. He explained that the Mutual Health Insurance Scheme was a more humane system of payment for health delivery compared to cash and carry which scared many sick people from attending hospital due to lack of money.

Mr Salifu said the Scheme was expected to contribute 20 per cent to the Public Health Service bill while the Government shoulders 80 per cent to enable everybody have access to health care regardless of their financial status.

Mr Kofi Amponsah Bediako, Assistant Government Spokesman on Social Services said the scheme would ensure that poor people get access to medical attention.

He said: "It is a noble scheme and as it demands that we pay small amounts of money at a time, everybody can contribute and be able to go to hospital at anytime anywhere in the country once you have the card to certify that you are a paid up member".

Mr. George Dan-Yare, Kassena-Nankana District Chief Executive, called on every household in the area to contribute to the scheme. He said the minimum contribution of 72, 000 cedis per adult would enable a family with children below 18 years to benefit from the scheme if both parents pay.