Aflao (V/R), Feb. 1, GNA - Subscribers of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will soon be issued with common identity cards nationwide in order to give the programme a national character and to ensure uniformity in its operation.

Mr Ras Boateng, Executive Secretary of the Scheme, disclosed this to the media on Wednesday during a working visit to the Ketu District Secretariat of the Scheme and some health facilities there. He said every subscriber would be issued a card with magnetic strips and embossed with the individual's data.

Mr Boateng commended the Ketu Secretariat for being the "cutting edge" of new ideas for the Scheme nationally.

He said the National Secretariat was aware of the success story of the Ketu District and that plans were far advanced to resource all district secretariats to enhance their work.

Mr Boateng said the Secretariat had already taken delivery of 30 vehicles out of 140 requested for the district offices. He said a total of 800 computers with accessories had also been ordered to improve the operations of the secretariats.

Mr Boateng announced that zonal offices would soon be established throughout the country to monitor the performance of the various secretariats and service providers.

He stated that the Scheme remained the single most effective poverty reduction strategy and urged all to take advantage of it. Mr Boateng expressed regret about reported cases of extortion by service providers in some districts and warned such persons to desist from frustrating the Scheme and its subscribers.

He congratulated Dr Asare Bediako, Medical Superintendent of the Aflao Government Hospital, who had carried out a fibroid operation for two subscribers of the Scheme without collecting any extra money from them.

Mr Raymond Avinu, Ketu NHIS Scheme Manager, said the District Secretariat projected to increase its subscriber base to 90,000 by the end of this year and 130,000 by 2008.

The district also hopes to hook up all providers to the Internet and on a central server to track patient information and health activities to reduce fraud to its barest minimum.

Mr Avinu mentioned inadequate staffing as the Secretariat's major challenge and the influx of Togolese and Benin nationals who pay instant cash for treatment thereby competing for same service with subscribers to the Scheme, resulting in delays at the facilities. 01 Feb. 07