Sunyani, (B/A) Aug. 23, GNA - Mr. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, on Wednesday expressed concern about delays in the issuance of identity cards, non-uniformity of premiums as well as low coverage of the National Health Insurance Scheme. He noted that even though the region leads in the implementation of the scheme with 35 percent as compared to other regions, there was the need to streamline actions to ensure rapid and smooth operations of the scheme for members to have access to quality health delivery. Speaking at the regional health insurance stakeholder's second review meeting in Sunyani, Mr Baffour-Awuah said the government was fully aware that its economic policies would be measured by the health status of the people.

He said the scheme was intended to make healthcare delivery accessible, equitable and participatory for all citizens of the country, irrespective of social standing, gender or ethnic background. Mr Baffour Awuah entreated the stakeholders to consider the initiation of actions, programmes and strategies that would ensure that the schemes were sustained in their various districts and help achieve the national target of 50 percent enrolment by December this year. The regional minister emphasised the need to intensify public education on the scheme in the various communities for more people to register.

Alhaj Dr. Bin Ibrahim Mohammed, Regional Director of Health Service expressed concern about the tremendous increase in registration in the scheme and urged the participants to work harder for the sustainability of the scheme.

He expressed concern about claim management delays, mistrust between service providers and the scheme managers, multiple prescription and accreditation issues, which he said affected smooth implementation of the scheme.

Most of the scheme managers enumerated a number of problems such as lack of logistics and inadequate staff personnel, which were affecting the scheme's operation.