Wenchi (B/A) Sept. 1 GNA - Mr. Vincent Arthur, Manager of Wenchi district Mutual Health insurance scheme has stated that the scheme served as a 'common fund' set up in the communities to take care of the health needs of all the people.
The public should therefore consider it as a cost subsidisation for both the rich and poor in society.
Mr. Arthur made this remarks when speaking to about 200 cashew farmers from the district to educate them on the importance of the scheme during which period the farmers met to inaugurate their association under the name, 'Wenchi Cashew Farmers Association'. He urged the people to wholly embrace and patronise the scheme so as to enjoy free medical attention whenever they should fall ill adding that government was also supporting it with resources of the country and that it was great opportunity for every individual citizen to enjoy from the facility.
He deplored the negative practices of some people who would play politics with the scheme and therefore advised the farmers not to be deceived by some people and refuse to register with the scheme, saying diseases would not discriminate in attacking individuals. Mr. Arthur appreciated the efforts of the people as they were registering to increase the population of insured clients in the communities.
He disclosed that as the close of last year, a total number of 26,610 people had registered with the scheme and the figure had risen to about 36,000 as by the end of July this year. He pleaded with all the opinion leaders in the communities to embark on a vigorous campaign to sensitise the people on the importance of the scheme in order that all the people would patronise it to ensure its sustainability.
Mr. Arthur complained that some of the clients were misusing the scheme as they frequently visit the health facilities to receive attention and drugs but some would not administer or use the drugs and that would only be a waste of funds.
He therefore, urged all insured persons to guard themselves against any negative practices that could affect the growth of the scheme in order that it would last longer for the benefit of future generations. 01 Sept. 06