Low patronage of NHIS registration exercise in Asunafo

Goaso (B/A), April 27, GNA- Majority of the people in Asunafo South District of Brong Ahafo have not shown interest in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in spite of several educational programmes. Mr. Alexander Fordjour, District Scheme Manager, who disclosed this at a durbar in the town organized by the Directorate of the scheme, said patronage was very low and discouraging especially at Kwapong, a suburb of the area.

He said out of the district's population of 76,000 only 11,492 of them had registered, representing 15 per cent of the population, while only 823 of the residents of Kwapong had registered. The district manager appealed to religious and other organizations to complement the efforts of the government as well as the district directorate to make the scheme a success.

Nana Kwabena Obeng, Asonahene, who presided, told the people not to politicise the exercise "since sickness does not discriminate against anybody along political lines". He urged the chiefs and people in the area to register with the scheme to enjoy free and quality medical care. 27 April 07