Wenchi (B/A) July 18, GNA - Dr. Peter Asare, Wenchi District Director of Health Services has announced 23,159 persons have so far registered with the National Health Insurance in the District with a total premium of 574,560 cedis.

He was speaking at a one-day half year performance review meeting for Wenchi and Tain Districts attended by District Health Staff, District Health Committee members, stakeholders and opinion leaders at Wenchi in Brong Ahafo.

The District Director said the Government had spent 122.5 million cedis as exemptions on 737 women who delivered in the two districts within the six months of the year, in line with the Government's policy of free delivery services for pregnant women.

Dr Asare said the district directorate in carrying out its activities collaborated with key stakeholders like private providers, the District Assemblies, NGOs, Traditional Councils, Departmental Agencies and the communities. He said the directorate encountered challenges including weak motorbikes that broke down often and high maintenance cost, deteriorating buildings with high cost of maintenance and inadequate staff.

Dr. Asare said 96 cases of HIV/AIDS were recorded within the period under review as compared to 59 the same period last year. He said no case of Guinea Worm or Polio was recorded, whilst out-patient attendance reduced from 0.45 in the first half of 2004 to 0.37 this year.