Accra, Jan. 13, GNA - The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning on Tuesday released 5.7 billion cedis as set-up funds for the last batch of 22 District Mutual Health Insurance Schemes.

With the release all 110 districts now have start-up funds to set up their Mutual Health Insurance Schemes, bringing the total amount so far released from the HIPC Funds for the project to 34.7 billion cedis, a press release from the Ministry of Finance, signed by Ms Cecelia Isabella Akwetey, Head of Public Relations, said on Tuesday.

The beneficiary districts are Birim South, West Akim, New Juaben Municipality and Yilo Krobo in the Eastern Region and Ejura-Sekyedumas, Ahafo Ano North, Ahafo Ano South and Sekyere East in Ashanti Region.

The others are South Tongu, Akatsi and Kadjebi in the Volta Region and Cape Coast Municipality, Awutu-Efutu-Senya and Agona in the Central Region and Kintampo, Sene and Wenchi in Brong Ahafo Region.

The rest are Zabzugu-Tatale, Yendi, Gushegu-Karaga, Tamale Municipality and Tolon Kumbugu in the Northern Region. The National Health Insurance Act provides for the setting up of the Mutual Health Insurance Schemes for residents in all the 110 Districts of the country.

Under it District Assembly are to initiate registration of the scheme as a limited company within 60 days of coming into force of the Act.

President John Agyekum Kufuor would formally launch the National Health Insurance Scheme on Friday January 15.