Metropolitan Insurance Company Limited (MET) on Friday presented membership cards of Metcare Sankofa, a new product under the Met Health Insurance plan to the first beneficiaries of the product at a ceremony in Accra.

The product was developed in response to the needs for a health insurance product that could be accessed by Ghanaians living abroad for the benefit of their relatives and dependants resident in the country.

Mr Kwame Gazo-Abenyezie, Acting Chief Executive Officer said it is common knowledge that most remittances meant for healthcare financing are not used for that purpose and sometimes they arrive too late to be useful for the purpose.

"With Metcare Sankofa, these concerns are taken care of. Sponsors can have the peace of mind that comes with the knowledge that the healthcare needs of their dependants are in safe hands," he said.

MET by this product, is renewing its commitment to support government in finding solutions to the problems of financing healthcare in the country.

Dr Awua Siaw of the Institutional Care Division, Ghana Health Services (GHS) said, "there is no upfront payment by beneficiaries, and any costs incurred are forwarded to Metcare for payment. In emergencies, and where there are no Metcare providers costs incurred would be repaid to beneficiaries.

The product insures beneficiaries with 10 million cedis for out patients, and 25 million for in patient costs and MET is negotiating with the Ministry of Health and GHS to enable beneficiaries to have access to government hospitals.