Ekumfi Eyisam (C/R), April 18, GNA - The International Association for the Advancement of Women in Africa (ASAWA) has paid 2.016 million cedis as one-year premium for 28 of its members toward the Health Insurance Scheme, The local Non-Governmental Organisation, which seeks to promote development of the rural women in Ghana and Africa, also paid the registration fee for the 28 members as well as five others who were above the age of 70.

Presenting the money to Mr Godfred Arthur, the Scheme Manager of the Mfantseman District Mutual Health Insurance, Madam Kate Abbam, Executive Director of ASAWA, said the gesture was to motivate the beneficiaries, who were mostly queen mothers, to intensify the campaign on the need for people to embrace the Health Insurance Scheme. Madam Abbam, who is also the Managing Editor of "Obaa Sima" magazine, said the beneficiaries had also been trained by the Association as HIV/AIDS counsellors and said by promoting their health through the scheme they would get the strength to do the work effectively.

She advised other members of the Association in the 10 communities in which it operates in the Ekumfi Traditional Area to register with the scheme and pay their premium promptly. Mr Arthur commended the Association for the gesture and appealed to other organisations and association to assist their members to pay the premium.

He appealed to traditional rulers, assembly and unit committee members, religious bodies and opinion leaders to intensify education on the importance of the scheme.