Akropong-Akuapem (E/R), May 28, GNA- The Akuapem North Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) has settled medical bills worth 173 million cedis for clients during one year of operation. The Chairman of the Scheme, Mr Albert Gyan Boohene, who disclosed this at the maiden Annual General Meeting held at Akropong-Akuapem on Friday, said so far, over 6,422 members of the 14,200 registered members had benefited from the scheme.

Mr Boohene said averagely 241,000 cedis was spent on each patient. He said the 300 million cedis Government released in 2003 as a start up fund for the scheme, got exhausted before the Board took over in April 2004, saying they had to rely on donations and premiums collected for their expenditure.

Mr Boohene, said delay in the release of the Health Insurance Drug and Standardized Price Lists could hamper effective claim management. The Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyira in a speech read on his behalf called for collaborative efforts to ensure the success of the scheme, especially disease prevention.

The Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah also in a speech read on his behalf charged the management of the scheme to intensify their public awareness drive to get more people to register with the scheme. He noted that the criticisms and recommendations of the stakeholders would go a long way to determine how viable the scheme would be.

The acting District Chief Executive, Dr (Mrs) Eugenia Danquah Quist, encouraged people to pay their premiums regularly even if they were not receiving treatment.