Lack of health infrastructure drawback to NHIS

Dambai (V/R), Aug. 30, GNA - Lack of adequate health infrastructure and logistics, resulting from the creation of the newly Krachi East District from the parent Krachi West District, was a drawback towards the smooth implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Mr Michael Gyato, Chief Executive of the District, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency at Dambai, said the people were enthusiastic about the health insurance scheme, stemming from their zeal to register but lack of facilities militated against kick-starting of the programme in the district.

He said the Scheme had completed the necessary documentation and was liaising with sister districts for assistance after its launch. Mr Gyato noted that it would cost between 50,000 cedis and 75,000 cedis, as round trip fares to be able to access the nearest health facility at the Kete-Krachi District Hospital, Nkwanta District Hospital or Worawora Hospital, which were bottlenecks to be surmounted. He said the district had two private clinics, owned by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana and an individual (Nyuieto clinic), with three Community-Based Health Planning Services (CHPS) located at Tokoranu, Dormabin and Asukwakwa, which offered healthcare delivery at the community levels.

Mr Gyato appealed to the people to exercise restraint and bear with government, since infrastructure development was gradual and capital intensive.