About 4,000 residents of Amansie West district in the Ashanti region have been registered on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
This is part of an initiative aimed at tackling health issues in the district, especially at a time when the country is reeling from severe economic losses.
Prof. Joseph Albert Quarm, who began the project through his foundation, 9 Prof Quarm Foundation) says that many residents have not been unable to enroll in the scheme for years due to financial barriers, making the move critical.
Prof Quarm states that in November of last year, he assisted 186 persons to undergo various procedures at an estimated cost of GH₵765,000.
“I feel that I need to give back to my community. Once I’ve put up this hospital here, my aim was to make sure at least they get free, quality healthcare within this environment. We all know how difficult it is around times like this, we cannot look at people to die unnecessary deaths just because of money,” he said.
He further mentions that if constituents visit his hospital with their health insurance card and incur an additional fee, the Foundation will cover half of it to ease their burden.
Frank Badu Bediako, the District Director of Health Services in the Amansie West District, believes the programme would help residents.
He stated that more than 36% of the district’s residents had yet to enroll in the health insurance scheme, which concerns the health directorate.
“Though it’s good, we feel could be better because our target is that at least 70 per cent of them should have valid NHIS cards,” he said.
Mr Bediako commended the Prof Quarm Foundation and urged other individuals and groups to assist in registering people in the area so that 70 per cent or more are covered by the Health Insurance Scheme.
On galamsey and its health concerns, he stated that, while the district has yet to report an abnormality, malaria, diarrhea infections, and other diseases are on the rise due to open pits, and that substantial assistance is required.
Mr. Bediako urged the government to train health workers and expand local facilities with sophisticated labs and equipment in order to efficiently deliver healthcare.
Some district beneficiaries applauded the initiative, claiming it will significantly reduce their health concerns.
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