Bolgatanga, Sept. 07, GNA - Mr Alhassan Samari, Upper East Regional Minister, on Thursday expressed concern about the low patronage of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the Region.

He said available statistics indicated that only about 38 per cent of the people had registered with the scheme in the Region. Mr Samari expressed the concern when addressing a meeting of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs in Bolgatanga.

He urged traditional rulers to educate people in their communities about benefits of the scheme and encourage them to register to access affordable and quality health care. Mr Samari appealed to the chiefs to assist Municipal and District Assemblies to provide infrastructure for children under the new Educational Reforms.

He commended the chiefs for the lowest number of chieftaincy disputes in the country and urged them to sustain the peace prevailing in the Region for accelerated development.

Naba Simon Ayidana, President of Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, commended government for the development in the Region with the provision of the Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme, NHIS and rehabilitation of roads.

He appealed to government to assist flood victims in the area and rehabilitate bridges that had collapsed because the situation was hampering economic activities.

Two newly enskinned chiefs to the House were sworn-in. They were Tongo-Rana Naba Sabalug-Namalteng Kolbil Yenga, Paramount Chief of Talensi Traditional Area and Naba Olando Awuni, Paramount Chief of Naga Traditional Area.