Ho, Nov. 19, GNA - The introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has reduced hospital admissions in the Ho Municipality, Mr Robert Adatsi, Acting Deputy Director of Clinical Care at the Volta Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said.

He said there were empirical evidences to that. Representing the Regional Director of the GHS at the 2nd Annual General Meeting of the Ho Municipal Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (Ho MMHIS) in Ho on Wednesday, Mr Adatsi described it as a plus for the scheme which he said was gaining credibility each passing day. He said rather than suffer at the thought of reporting for treatment because of cost, the possession of the NHIS cards now emboldened the sick to visit hospitals early enough before complications set in to warrant admissions.

Mr Adatsi, a Pharmacist, however noted that growing in the number of attendance and admissions were not enough but rather the ability of the scheme managers to effectively manage the process and get on board, the under-privilege and the vulnerable. Mr Charles Agboklu, Board Chairman of the Scheme said the Ho MMHIS moved from a low of 14,484 (eight percent coverage in November 2005 when it commenced operations) to the current high figure of 109,715 (57 percent coverage) out of population of about 197,746. He said hospital attendance increased along with rising listings phenomenally from a total of 66 persons in 2005 to 69,730 by the end of August this year.

Mr Agboklu said the highest paid premium was GH¢4,000 in respect of a card bearing patient from the Ketu-South Scheme, who was on admission at the Volta Regional Hospital for about six months. He said the Ho MMHIS had so far mobilized a total of GH¢256,839.20 from premiums and received a total of GH¢2,246,411.99 subsidy from the National Health Insurance Authority. It has also paid a total of GH¢2,045,114.73 to health service providers. Mr Agboklu mentioned the establishment of two sub offices at Tsito-Awudome and Kpedze and the reactivation of the Community Health Insurance Committees as among the scheme's achievements. He said the challenges include, inadequate staff, inappropriate multiple attendance, delayed payments and negative provider attitudes.

Mr Agboklu said the scheme hoped to strengthen its governance structures, build stronger and mutual relationships with all stakeholders. He also announced that a permanent office and additional sub offices would be built in the future. Mr Raymond Avinu, Volta Regional Oversight Manager of the Scheme commended the Ho Scheme for its penetration rate stating that the financial backing of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was robust to manage challenges. He said issues of portability were being tackled and that soon members registered anywhere could access health care everywhere in Ghana.

In a solidarity message, Dr Geoffrey Nyamuame, Medical Superintendent of the Volta Regional Hospital, said the mass health insurance for all was the "best thing that has happened to health sector in recent times."

He said it had lowered default in payment for services at the Regional Hospital considerably.

Nana Pobee Asomaning Darko, Volta Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) congratulated the government for the vision and courage to implement the scheme saying "the problem of agitation for non-payment of medical refund a thing of the past". The meeting would receive and review the financial statement for the year ending December 31, 2007, as well as the report of auditors and determine the remuneration of Directors.