Minister pays insurance premium for 2,500 people

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is gradually gaining grounds in most parts of the country. This follows the numerous campaigns carried out by the authorities managing it.

With the earlier perception created by some disgruntled politicians that the health policy is a tool initiated by the ruling NPP government to fill its coffers, the public have come to belief that those statements were all propaganda talks to discourage them from join it. After accessing critically, the benefits associated with the scheme the masses, especially the less privileged in the society who were not comfortable with the old cash and carry system as a result of financial constraints are rushing to join.

Meanwhile, the well to do ones in society have also realized the need to pay the premium of the vulnerable in remote areas.

On 27th May, 2007, the minister of ports harbours and railways, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi embarked on a charity tour in Techiman north constituency of Brong Ahafo region. To affirm his support for the Techiman Municipal Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (TMMHIS), he agreed to pay the premium of 2,500 people within the exempt group in almost all the communities in the constituency.

Describing the generosity as one of his social responsibilities, he entreated people in the constituency to analyze the merits attached to the NHIS and embrace it for the benefit of future generation. He condemned earlier allegations made by some opposition figures that the scheme is in to relief the health burden of NPP card bearing members, stating they were all fallacious comments without any basis. According to him the health policy forms part of the president Kufuor led administration commitment to bring quality health care delivery to the door steps of Ghanaians, particularly the poor who could hardly afford health care due to the financial status.

The minister observed that since the introduction of the NHIS about two years ago the health conditions of most Ghanaians have really improved , accepting that there has been more pressure on the nation’s health facilities, however the central government is doing its possible best to solve the problem. Prof. Akumfi Ameyaw advocated for regular use of the gate keeping system by beneficiaries when the need arises.

The one time education minister was flanked by the constituency chairman and youth organizer Messrs Noah Kwasi Owusu and Everson Addo Donkor, not forgetting Mr. Kofi Nimoh, assemblyman for the area who led the delegation.

Prof. Akumfi Ameyaw reiterated his preparedness to help improve the lives of the vulnerable in the constituency and urged all to consider the good works of the ruling government and pay back diligently in 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections. It was established that due to the significant role that continuity play in multi party democracy it would do the nation a great good to maintaining NPP. He noted that with just six years in governance, NPP had done what napoleon could not do by solving most of the socio-economic problems facing the nation.

The assemblyman, Mr. Kofi Nimoh expressed his profound gratitude to the donor for the kind gesture exhibited and urged the affluent in the constituency and other humanitarian bodies operating in the area to follow suit. He stated emphatically that even though the government is doing well to redeem people from abject poverty since all have leading role to play.

Later in an interview the Public Relations Officer (PRO) in charge of Techiman Municipal Mutual Health Insurance (TMMHIS), Mr. Richard Asamoah commended, the minister for that bold step and continued that the generous act would go a long way to bring to the lime light the importance of the scheme. He intimated that since the scheme has come to stay authorities in Techiman must help to sustain it.