Jirapa, April 11, GNA - Staff of Jirapa Lambussie District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, have detected fraud and other malpractices among clients three months after its implementation. Registered members of the Scheme, front for non-registered sick persons while others feigned for illness of their relatives, attend hospital and collect drugs for them at home.

Mr Martin Bomba-ire, Jirapa Lambussie District Scheme Manager who announced this at a day's meeting with agents of the Scheme at Jirapa said a committee had been established to investigate the allegations. He said the Scheme had so far realised 325.5 million cedis from premiums paid by 21,957 registered members. Mr Bomba-ire noted that such behaviour of the clients could affect its operations and urged the people to be vigilant and expose the culprits.

He said about 54.4 million cedis out of the premiums realised had been paid as medical claims for 1.024 insured clients. The Scheme Manager appealed for more logistics, such as means of transport and office equipment to enable them operate efficiently and effectively.

He gave the assurance that they would step up their campaign to increase the registered members by 50 per cent by June this year. Mr Bomba-ire said efforts would be made to make the staff more proactive to check fraud and strengthen relationship with clients. Mr Justin Dakorah, Jirapa Lambussie District Chief Executive called on the people to use livestock to pay their premiums. He warned premium collectors against embezzlement and other malpractices that would impede progress of the Scheme. Mr Dakorah appealed to the people to register when the Electoral Commission re-opened the Voter's Register. 11 April 06