Bole (N/R), Dec 7, GNA - Eight thousand five hundred and forty four thousand persons have been enjoying free medical care since the beginning of November this year, out of a population of 145,975,000 in the Bole and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Districts of the Northern Region.

The District Scheme Manager, Mr Felix Mahama Saaka, told reporters at Bole that 1,021 members have made full payment of 73.5 million cedis as their premium, increasing the total premium collected to 74.5 million cedis. He said the Scheme registered 886 Social Security Contributors, 4,950 children under 18 years, 51 pensioners, and 106 indigents, making a total of 7,066 members under the exempt group.

The Scheme Manager said the Scheme had issued out 4,112 identity cards, which members were using for free medical care, adding that, a number of service providers from the two districts had been trained on how to validate the insurance. He said some pharmacy shop owners had also been trained and contracted to supply drugs to card bearers of the Scheme, to supplement efforts of the health facilities, anytime they run out of any particular drugs. Mr Saaka, however, said inadequate staffing and equipment, logistic supply and lack of means of transport for staff and funding, were major challenges facing the Scheme.