Assin Foso (C/R), June 27, GNA - Abut 80 to 85 per cent of patients who attend health facilities in Assin North District are health insurance card bearers following the giant stride made by the District Mutual health Insurance Scheme. Dr. Adjei Adjetey, District Director of the Ghana Health Service announced this at the inauguration of a reconstituted 12-member District health Committees at Assin Foso. The committee is mandated to advise district director of health matters in the district.

Dr. Adjetey commended the board of directors and management of the scheme for a good work done. The district director announced that the scheme in collaboration with the district assembly was constructing a clinic at Assin Foso to be used as the first treatment point to relieve pressure on the Francis Xavier Catholic Hospital to enable it to play the role as a referral hospital.

He announced that due to prudent measures taken by the health directorate, maternal death had reduced to two so far as against eight recorded within the same period last year. He mentioned signing a memoranda of understanding (MOU) with transport unions to convey pregnant women in labour to health facilities without first demanding money for the service and ensuring that blood was available at health facilities at all times as some of the measures.

The District Health Director said a new treatment had been found for tuberculosis patients which did not involve injections and could be administered to them at their homes by even an unqualified health personnel.

He said Francis Xavier Hospital which served as the District Hospital had some consignment of anti-retroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS and urged people with the disease to take advantage of it. Mr Kwabena Karikari Apau, the DCE appealed to the committee to help address the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the district, and also find solution to the accommodation problems facing workers. The DCE announced that the assembly had sponsored the training of 20 health aides who had just passed out and were waiting for posting to health facilities in the district.

Mr. Joseph Blay, District Magistrate administered the Oath of Secrecy and Oath of Office to the members of the committee. 27 June 07