Kissi (C/R), July 15, GNA - Mr. George Frank Asmah, District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) district, on Friday called on the people to use the huge sums of money they have been spending on funerals, to register for the mutual health insurance schemes in their areas.

He stressed that the scheme, would ensure affordable and quality health care delivery, and expressed concern that so many lives had been lost due to the inability of most people to patronize the cash and carry system.

The DCE, gave the advice, when he launched the district's mutual health scheme, at Kissi near Komenda, under the theme, "join the national health insurance for a healthier, happier home."

Mr Asmah said all the 144 communities of the district have been sensitized about the scheme, and therefore urged the people to register in order to enjoy quality health care.

He also expressed concern over the insanitary conditions in some parts of the district and advised the people to strive and keep their surroundings clean, to stem the outbreak of diseases. Mr Emmanuel Gyamfi, Central Regional Health Insurance Co-ordinator said 252,996 people had been registered in the region as at the end of May, with a total premium of about 600 million cedis.

He echoed calls against the politicization of the scheme, since people who are discouraged from registering, would be the losers. In a welcoming address, Nana Kodwo Kru V, Regent of Kissi, also reiterated the benefits of the scheme, and urged the people to register. A 15-member board of directors to administer the scheme in the district, under the chairmanship of Nana Kodwo Eduakwa V, chief of Atonkwa, was later inaugurated.