Breman Asikuma (C/R), June 30, GNA - The Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (DMHIS) has increased its membership from 31, 818 in 2006 to 51,677 in 2007. It has also increased its premium and registration fees from 48, 912.26 Ghana Cedis in 2006 to 122,574.93 Ghana cedis in 2007. The chairman of the Board of Directors of the scheme, Rev. Patrick Yampong, said this at the Annual General Assembly of members of the scheme at Breman Asikuma. Rev. Appiah said it had registered 57.81 per cent of the population of the district and that 50,629 of registered members had been issued with ID cards.

The scheme paid 491,408.40 Ghana cedis in respect of service given to their members in 2007 as against 132, 009.45 in 2006. A total of 29,592.58 Ghana cedis was received from the National Health Insurance Authority as donation in the form of computers and accessories for the office. Rev. Appiah said despite the scheme impressive performance, it is faced with some challenges, including inadequate staffing and delay in reimbursement by other schemes on bills paid on their behalf. He mentioned high medical bills submitted by service providers and non-cooperation by some service providers as some the problems facing the scheme. The District Chief Executive for the area, Mr. Emmanuel Adjei Domson, commended the Board of Directors and management for the efficient manner they had managed the scheme.