Navrongo (U/E), May 6, GNA - The Kassena-Nankana District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme has so far collected 66.8 million cedis since its inception in April 2004, and currently has an enrolment of 8,254. Mr. David Samari, Manager of the Scheme, announced this at the inauguration of a 13-member Board of Directors of the scheme in Navrongo on Thursday.

He said the Board, headed by Mr. Andrew Kubaje, was constituted by the District Health Insurance Assembly at its maiden meeting in March this year.

Mr. Samari said the major structures required for the successful operation of the Scheme had been provided. These include the setting up of a District Health Committee and a 15-member Taskforce, recruitment of registration assistants in the District's 54 electoral areas, and the establishment of 30 Health Insurance Communities with a five-member committee for each community.

He stated, however, that the implementation of the scheme was being hampered by its unnecessary politicisation, coupled with poor crop harvest in the area during last year's farming season, which rendered many people incapable of paying the start-up premium, as well as lack of means of transport.

Mr. Samari urged members of the Board to meet the goals of the Scheme.

He also called on residents to support the scheme actively. He commended the District Assembly for its immense support for the scheme so far, and thanked the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) for providing funds for the training of the implementing staff. The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. George Dan-yare, urged health workers to successfully implement the Scheme.

He also called for collaboration between the Board members and the General Assembly, urging them to minimize the associated bureaucracy for the smooth operation of the scheme.

Mr. James Akazili, Senior Researcher at the Navrongo Health Research Centre, said a study conducted by his team indicated that would-be contributors expected an improvement in the quality of healthcare, as well as a better attitude on the part of health workers at health facilities under the NHIS.

He recommended the intensification of public education in the district to create more awareness on the replacement of the cash and carry system with the new scheme.