Sekondi, June 3, GNA - Mr Emmanuel R. Okyere, Manager of the Sekondi Sub-Metropolitan Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, has urged opinion leaders and the management of the Scheme to collaborate efforts to ensure the successful implementation of the plan. He expressed worry that even though the Scheme covered 90 communities, only 50 agents were presently engaged in the registration of clients.

Mr Okyere was speaking at the inauguration of 11-member Board of Directors of the Mutual Health Insurance Scheme at Sekondi on Friday. The Board is under the chairmanship of Nana Ekra Kojo IV, Chief of Anaji.

Mr Okyere said so far, 21,237 people had registered but only 353 had fully paid their premiums while 6,904 were on the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

He said 36.5 million cedis had been collected as premiums but the lack of logistics was hampering the operations of the agents. Mr Isaac Addai, Metropolitan Planning Officer, said the lack of funds was making the establishment of the Sekondi Office of the Scheme difficult.

He said an amount of 700 million cedis released by government for the establishment of an office at Takoradi was also utilised by the Sekondi and Shama sub-metros. Nana Kobina Nketsiah IV, Omanhene of Essikadu, said education on the National Health Insurance Scheme should be intensified, especially in the rural areas to facilitate its implementation.