NHIS should emphasise preventive aspects of health issues

Winneba (C/R), Aug. 10, GNA - Managements of mutual health insurance schemes have been urged to emphasise the preventive aspect of health issue in their sensitisation programmes as a way of cutting down cost on healthcare.

Mr Kwamina Amoasi-Andoh, National Co-ordinator, International Labour Organization (ILO) Decent Work Pilot Project, said when clients of the various schemes learnt how to adopt preventive measures they would protect themselves against communicable diseases, reduce their visits to health facilities and thereby reduce the huge bills that schemes were paying on behalf of their clients.

Inaugurating the re-constituted 11-member Board of Directors of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (AESDMHIS), at Winneba on Thursday, he praised the good works of both the General Assembly executives and the Management of the AESDMHIS for providing the "cream of society" to form the reconstituted Board of Directors and charged them to co-operate with management to achieve their objectives. Mr Kingsley Arko-Sam, Chairman of the General Assembly, which appointed the Board, pledged support and commitment to the new board and the management to produce results.

Mrs Georgina Asamoah, Acting Chairperson, thanked members of the General Assembly for their confidence and trust and gave the assurance that they would not let the Scheme down. Mr Christopher Oddoye, Scheme Manager, appealed to members of the Board and the General Assembly to always muster courage to point out shortcomings of the line officers to ensure accelerated improvement in all sections of the scheme's operations. Members of the Board include, Mrs Georgina Asamoah, Acting Chairperson, Dr Hercules O France, Medical Superintendent of the Winneba Hospital, Rev Dr. Sam Q. E. Ghartey, representing the Local Council of Churches, Nai Kwao Kurabi Clottey III, representative of the Awutu Traditional Council, Mr Kenneth Koomson, Senya Traditional Council, Paapa Kow Ghartey, Effutu Traditional Council, Dr Benjamin Brew, representing Healthcare providers, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Issah, representing the Muslim community, Mrs Jane Amparbeng, representing the Department of Social Welfare and Mr. Christopher Oddoye, Scheme Manager and Secretary to the Board.