Sandema (Upper East), 9th June 99 -

The Builsa district management team, in conjunction with the district assembly, has organised a one-day workshop at Sandema on the implementation of the policy on exemption of vulnerable groups from payment of hospital fees.

Briefing members on the guidelines, the district director of health services, Dr Jonathan Adda, said the policy forms part of the medium term objectives of the ministry of health.

These objectives, he said, seek among other things, to increase health facilities for all Ghanaians and the provision of quality health care.

The district director said the policy also aims at improving efficiency at all levels of the health sector, as well as fostering collaboration and partnership between the health sector and communities.

According to the guidelines pregnant women are to receive ante-natal services for the first four visits, while people above 70 years, children under five years, and victims of snake and dog bites will also receive free medical treatment.

The district director appealed to assembly members and community leaders to help identify genuine paupers who qualify to benefit from the scheme, and also create the awareness about the exemption.

Delivering the keynote address, the Builsa district chief executive, Mr Daniel Syme, commended the district health management team for its initiative in organising the workshop.

Mr Syme said members of the assembly need to be constantly briefed on government policies and programmes so as to be able to educate the people on such policies.