Mankranso (Ash), Nov. 10, GNA - Mrs Matilda Nyantakyi Broni, Assistant Programmes Manager of the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), a non-governmental organisation, has called on the Media to critically monitor and report responsibly on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by highlighting its success.

She stressed the need for the Media to also help CEDEP's initiative to empower civil society organisations (CSOs) to facilitate the effective inclusion and participation of the poor and vulnerable in the NHIS.

She was speaking a at day's Appraisal Meeting of the NHIS at Mankranso in the Ahafo Ano South District on Friday.

The forum, organised by CEPED in collaboration with District Health Insurance Advocacy Committees was attended by service providers, District Health Management Teams, CSOs, community leaders and women's groups, It sought to promote dialogue and joint decision-making among duty bearers and policy makers in the District and was also intended to foster citizen-government engagement in the running of the National and District Schemes.

She said CEDEP and the Committees would pick issues from the forum to use as advocacy issues to engage the National Health Insurance Council and policy makers to take pro-poor actions in the NHIS implementation.

Mr Francis Obed Amoako, District Health Insurance Manager, said the total number of patients, who accessed health services at the various health facilities from May 2005 to September 2006, was 22,525. He said this was made up of 1,130 in-patients and 10,661 out-patients, adding that the average attendance per month was 1,325.

He said the total contributions from members of the Scheme amounted to 741 million cedis with the Government providing a supporting fund of about 2.5 billion cedis for claims and administrative work. Madam Mary Amponsah-Koduah, District Director of Health Service, announced that since the Scheme started in the District last year, out-patient department attendances have increased tremendously. She said 11,128 cases were recorded in 2004; 12,784 in 2005 and 15,503 in 2006.