Dormaa-Ahenkro (B/A), Nov. 22, GNA - Patients owe the Presbyterian Hospital at Dormaa-Ahenkro in Brong Ahafo unpaid medical bills totalling 50 million cedis from January to October this year.

Mr. George Yeboah, Coordinator of the Dormaa District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme who announced this said the problem was due to the inability of many people to pay their bills because of the cash-and-carry system.

He was addressing an emergency meeting of the Dormaa District Assembly at Dormaa-Ahenkro on Friday on preparations so far made towards the establishment of the scheme in the district.

Mr. Yeboah said the District Mutual Health Insurance Committee (DMHIC) had toured all the communities and villages in the district to educate the people on the need to join the scheme.

Dr. Christian Nyarko Aduana, Dormaa District Director of Health Services, said the committee had completed the registration of all the people in the district and the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme would officially be launched on December 2, this year.

The District Director said the draft constitution of the scheme would be discussed in addition to the premium to be paid by each contributor at the launch.

Mr. Emmanuel Duku, Dormaa District Chief Executive (DCE) said the district was among the 45 districts selected for the first phase of the National Health Insurance Scheme.

He added that the scheme would take off in the district by January next year and urged Assembly members to educate the people on the need for them to join the scheme.