Agormanya(ER), Sept. 8, GNA - The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has decided to provide insurance cover for babies whose mothers are active members of the scheme for a maximum period of 90 days after birth.

Mr Ras Boateng, Chief Executive Officer NHIA, who announced this in a speech read on his behalf at the third Annual General Meeting of Manya Krobo District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme at Agormanya on Monday, said the babies would be covered under their mothers' registration cards.

He explained that the measure was to reduce the high infant mortality rate in the country and advised parents to ensure their babies were registered to benefit from the scheme. Mr Boateng said a multiple indicator cluster survey conducted by Ghana Statistical Service in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other donor agencies in 2006 showed that infant mortality rate was 71 deaths per 1,000 live births.

He said about 17,650 pregnant women in the Eastern Region had so far registered to have access to free maternal health services aimed at reducing maternal mortality in the country instituted since July. Mr Boateng advised women not to abuse the policy since giving birth to many children could affect their health and put undue financial burden on the household.

Mr F.A. Sackitey, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Manya Krobo District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, in a report, said 21,303 clients were issued with their Identity Cards (ID) in 2007 forming about 15 per cent, while attendance at the health providing facilities increased 70.8 per cent.

He said the scheme paid 1,155,676.44 Ghana Cedis in 2007 to health service providers as against 502,938.38 paid in 2006 but were indebted to them to the tune of about 63,155.03 Ghana Cedis. Mr Sackitey noted that the increase in their bills for 2007 was due to increase in tariffs and patronage resulting from multiple attendances by some clients.

"Some of our clients attended Saint Martin's Hospital Agormanya, Atua Government Hospital and Akuse Hospital with the same ailment," he said.