Accra, Oct. 27, GNA - Mr Sylvester Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, has entreated the Ashiedu Keteke community to show interest in the sustainability of their mutual health insurance scheme.

"Your interest in the sustainability of the scheme would mean that you will work to prevent impersonation of registered members of the scheme, prevent frivolous use of services, serve as watchdog over activities of service providers and ensure government policies related to the scheme for its improvement," he said.

This was contained in a speech read on his behalf, at a community durbar held at James Town by the Ashiedu Keteke Mutual Health Insurance Scheme. The community durbar was organised to bring together clients, service providers and prospective clients to address their concerns and give clients the opportunity to ask questions bothering them on the scheme. Mr Mensah denied that the scheme was not working.

He noted that government was committed to improving the implementation of the scheme and was working towards one-time premium payment by members and to ensure a reform of the policy and legislative framework. Mr Harold Kelevo, Ashiedu Keteke Scheme Manager, explained that a total of 100,454 clients had been registered since 2005 with 223,041 beneficiaries, whilst 23,417 pregnant women had received free anti natal care.

To ensure that they offer quality and excellent services to the people, the scheme has established 15 registered centres and 15 service providers. Mr Kelevo urged the people in the community to endeavour to register and ensure a clean environment to prevent diseases that would lead to contracting of diseases.

Nii Kojo Ababio V, James Town Mantse, commended the scheme and service providers for the care they are giving to the people. He reiterated the need for the people to register with the scheme.