Kade, March 13, GNA - One thousand eight hundred (1,800) members have benefited from the Kwaebibirem District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (DMHIS) at a cost 106 million cedis since it became operational on August 1, last year. This was made known by the Acting District Chief Executive, Mr Yaw Yiadom-Boakye, when he inaugurated a nine-member Board of Directors for the scheme at Kade on Friday.

Mr Yiadom-Boakye said the Scheme had registered 33,000 members who had made a total contribution of 800 million cedis. The Board is under the Chairmanship of Dr Bernard Nuertey of the Oil Palm Research Institute with Mr George Aboagye, the Presiding Member of the Kwaebibirem District Assembly as Vice Chairman. The DCE reminded the members that the Board was an independent entity and the success or otherwise of the scheme rested solely on them. He assured them of the Assembly's support for its success and sustainability.

Mr Yiadom-Boakye said the Kwaebibirem Scheme was a major landmark to the development of the District and the country. The DCE observed that the Kwaebibirem Scheme was the only one in the country that had started with the full implementation of the Health Insurance. Mr Yiadom-Boakye urged the Board to take steps to have the Scheme formally inaugurated. He said even though there were some implementation challenges and constraints, such as lack of vehicle for a continued monitoring and education, the scheme was managing to give registered members quality and affordable health care.

The District Director of Health Services, Mr Odame Asiedu traced the history of the scheme to 1999 when the idea was mooted by Dr Kwasi Dei-Anane, then Obstetrician-Gynaecologist at the St Dominic's Hospital at Akwatia and together with Dr Mawuli Gyakobo then of the hospital looked for how to develop interventions to enable health care to be affordable. He thanked the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) for the early assistance given to the scheme. Mr Odame said Managers of the scheme would ensure it succeeded to enable the people to have easy access to health care in spite of their financial situation.

Dr Nuertey promised that the board would accept the challenges, work as a team and rise up to the occasion. Mr John Awuku Ahevi was introduced as the Scheme Manager. He said the members were accessing quality and affordable health care service at St Dominic's and GCD Hospitals, both at Akwatia and at Kade, Asuom and Pramkese Health Centres, all in the district.