Tarkwa (W/R), Oct. 12, GNA - The Wassa West District has collected a total premium of 181 million cedis for the District Wide Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, which would take off on November 1, 2005. Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Ayensu, Wassa West District Chief Executive announced this, when briefing the Second Ordinary Meeting of the District Assembly today at Tarkwa. He said as at the end of September 2005, the total number of registered clients stood at 121,590, representing 49 per cent of the target population of 245,940.

Mr Ayensu said the number of fully paid up clients in the informal sector stood at 1,289, while that of partly paid clients in the informal sector was 3,173.

For clients in the formal sector, he said a total of 3,124 had their Social Security Fund (SSF) numbers validated. "It must however, be noted that the total number of registered clients, 63,241 are below 18 years of age; while 2,147 are 70 years old and above. The total number of registered pensioners' stood at 357", Mr Ayensu added. He said plans were far advanced to open sub-offices at Prestea, Bogoso, Nsuaem and Aboso.