NDC supports National Health Insurance Scheme - Arthur

Saltpond (C/R), Sept. 25, GNA - The Member of Parliament for Mfantseman West (MP), Mr Jacob Arthur, has called on Ghanaians to discard the misconception that the NDC was against the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He said the scheme, initiated by the previous government was the best means of ensuring efficient health delivery and urged Ghanaians to support it.

The MP, however, said: "the bone of contention is the funding and the speed by which the bill was pushed through without giving the people enough time to make contributions".

Mr Arthur made the call at the inauguration of the seven-member Saltpond Government Hospital Advisory Committee to help the administration improve facilities and services at Saltpond, on Wednesday.

He urged the people not to rely on the media alone for information about NHIS because "some of them are as ignorant as the people they want to educate".

Mr Arthur cited an instance of a media house, which claimed that one was qualified to have his or her bill settled by the NHIS after receiving treatment from a traditional healer.

"Buy a copy of the Act, it is no more a Bill since it has received Presidential Assent and study it to enable you educate members of your family," he advised.

The MP explained that membership of the NHIS was voluntary and cautioned against using force and threat to get people to embrace it. Mrs Comfort Owusu, MP for Mfantseman East, charged the Committee to cooperate with the District Health Committee, management and staff of the hospital.

Dr Aaron Offei, Central Regional Director of Health Services, said the Scheme placed responsibility on health personnel to provide good quality services to meet the expectations of the public.

He said: "We need to improve on the quality of services that we provide including the provision of a healthy and homely environment". Dr Offei announced that Ghana Health Services and Ministry of Health, had developed an accreditation criteria to determine facilities to assess the gap in the health care delivery.

Dr Simpson Anim Boateng, Mfantseman District Director of Health Services, gave a catalogue of problems facing the hospital and the district and called for efforts to improve facilities. He expressed concern about frequent power outage at Saltpond and appealed to the Electricity Company of Ghana to improve their service. Dr. Frederick Vormawor, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, appealed to people to take interest in the work of the committee. He said the success of programmes could be ensured when those charged with their implementation showed dedication.

Mr Abraham Ato Ahinful, Chairman of the Committee assured the management of the hospital that the Committee would not interfere in its administration but would not hesitate to point out shortfalls. Mr Frank Neequaye, Presiding Member of the District Assembly, said the Assembly has voted, 136 million cedis for the provision of toilet facilities while the road leading to the area had been awarded on contract for tarring.

An appeal for funds yielded 11.8 million cedis with the two MPs donating five million cedis each from their share of the common fund. Mr Arthur also donated 11 chargeable solar lamps, five for the Saltpond Hospital and two each for health facilities at Dominase, Biriwa and Anomabo valued at 8.6 million cedis.