Ghanaians urged to embrace NHIS

Manso-Nkwanta (Ash), Aug. 11, GNA - Mrs Theresa Amoah, Medical Assistant of the Saint Martin's Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum, has called on Ghanaians to embrace the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for affordable health care.

She regretted that about 40 per cent of patients, who attended hospital were not registered with the scheme and could not afford their medical bills.

Mrs Amoah was addressing over 3,000 members of the Catholic Women Association of the Obuasi Diocese at the close of a four-day annual retreat held under the theme, "Come Meet Christ" at Manso-Nkwanta in the Amansie West District of Ashanti.

She commended the government for the introduction of the scheme and appealed to all those, who had not registered to do so to enable them assess the scheme.

She asked members of the association to always keep their homes clean to avoid contracting communicable diseases and also sleep under mosquito treated bed nets to prevent malaria.

Mrs Mary Afoakwa, President of the association, outlined a number of projects embarked on by the association, including the construction of 1.5 billion cedis orphanage centre at Kwabenakwa, near Obuasi, which is at roofing level.

She appealed to all well-spirited Ghanaians to come to their aid to complete the project on time.

Reverend Father John Dwobeng Adusei, the Parish Priest of Manso-Nkwanta, in a sermon, appealed to parents to take advantage of government's capitation grant and the school feeding programme to send their children to school.

He asked members to educate and train their children, especially the girl-child, and cautioned against the wearing of indecent clothes, which did not portray a good Christian society. Rev Fr. Adusei urged Catholics to hold onto their faith, love one another, and care for the sick, poor and the needy so as to win more souls for Christ.

Nana Nyarko Abora II, Queen of Manso-Nkwanta, who chaired the function, commended the Catholic Church for initiating developmental projects in the area of health, education and sanitation. She appealed to pregnant women to frequently visit hospitals and clinics for safe delivery.