The METCARE Sankofa Health Insurance policy dubbed "SHIP" has been launched in London.

Sankofa Health Insurance policy which was developed by Metropolitan Insurance Company Ghana Limited in collaboration with Tristar Insurance Services, both Ghanaian based insurance companies, would be operated in the UK by Goldcare UK Limited, 3 Diamonds Limited and the Ghana International Bank.

Under the scheme, subscribers in the UK could insure their dependants living in Ghana at an annual premium of ?180, while Metropolitan Insurance Company would pay to the beneficiaries a maximum of 10 Million Cedis for outpatient services and 25 Million Cedis for any admission in any private or public health institution in Ghana.

UK Policyholders and their spouses would also be entitled to a one month health insurance cover while in Ghana during the year.

Present at the launch were Mr. Peter Yankey, Minister/Welfare & Consular Affairs, Ghana High Commission; Mr. Daniel Aidoo Mensah, Chief Executive of Metropolitan Insurance Company; Mr. Asante Marfo-Ahenkora, Managing Director of Tristar Insurance Services; Mr. Ray Sowah, Manager of Retail Banking, Ghana International Bank and Mr. Kwabena Fosu-Mensah of Goldcare UK Limited.

Others dignitaries included Alhaji Ahmed Jumah, Ghanaian Chief Imam in the UK, Rev. James Enin of the Ghana Catholic Chaplaincy; Mr. John Watson, Chief Executive of 3 Diamonds Limited; Nana Otuo Acheampong, Publisher of Ghana Review International, Mrs. Olivia Anaman of Goldcare UK Limited and Mr. Charles Wereko of the Ghana High Commission.

Launching the scheme on behalf of H.E. Mr. Isaac Osei, Ghana's High Commissioner to the UK, Mr. Peter Yankey noted that radical reforms initiated by the NPP Government to revamp the health sector in Ghana reflected the high premium Government placed on the health needs of all Ghanaians.

He said the Government of Ghana would deliver on its pledge to Ghanaians regarding implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme when the bill on the scheme, which had been piloted successfully in some districts of the country, was passed by Parliament.

Mr. Yankey praised the ingenious and pioneering role played by the Metropolitan Insurance Company in the provision of private health insurance and for "identifying and designing a unique product tailored specifically to respond to a very pressing need confronting Ghanaians living in the Diaspora".

He observed that such insurance schemes had become an indispensable facility in the contemporary life in Ghana where the safety net previously provided by the extended family system for its disadvantaged members had been severely eroded by rapid urbanisation and globalisation.

He urged Ghanaians resident in the UK to embrace the Sankofa Health Insurance Policy to ensure the success of the scheme and expressed the hope that other Ghanaian companies would emulate the example of Metropolitan insurance company in churning out more innovative products.

On his part, Mr. Daniel Mensah said since its establishment in 1997, Metropolitan insurance company had kept faith with its clients by introducing a number of customised products including universal life insurance, Met Gold Plan, dedicated Saving and Investment Plan for Moslems, Met Labbaika Plan and the health Insurance Scheme, Metcare.

Sankofa Health Insurance policy, the Chief Executive explained, was an offshoot of Metcare which had currently recorded over 50,000 subscribers drawn from corporate organisations, diplomatic missions and private individuals.

"The facility which is currently operating and enjoying a high degree of popularity in the US market covers payment for general and specialist consultation, drugs, surgical treatment, diagnostic test, hospital accommodation as well as dental and optical care" declared the Chief Executive.

Mr. Mensah said the absence of a comprehensive social insurance policy in Ghana had placed the financial burden of caring for the less fortunate members of the society on Ghanaian residents abroad and stressed that Sankofa provided a convenient and effective medium for the discharge of this scared responsibility.

He attributed the success of Metropolitan Insurance Company which had won the Chartered Institute of Marketing of Ghana's "Insurance Company of the year" award three times to "a combination of product innovation, quality service delivery and a competent technical and professional staff'.

Nana Otuo Acheampong entreated Ghanaians to move away from the practise of spending lavishly on funerals and invest in the health and well-being of their brethren back home.