WA NHIS REGISTERS MORE CLIENTS (PAGE 20)

Story: Chris Nunoo

THE Wa Municipal Health Insurance Scheme has since its inception attracted 73,937 clients, representing 67 per cent of the total population of 112,050 in the municipality.
The Manager of the scheme, Mr Abdul Rahaman Alhassan, made this known when addressing the fourth annual general meeting of the scheme at Wa.
He, however, stated that in spite of the attainment of over 95 per cent coverage in terms of sensitisation, that had not had a direct impact on the number of people covered.
According to him, the scheme recorded 24 per cent increase in registration in 2005, went up to 50 per cent in 2006 and 67 per cent in 2007.
Mr Alhassan said 19,202 of the clients were from the informal sector, 8,005 being Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SNIT) contributors and 38,487 being people under 18 years.
He said 6,512 of the beneficiaries were over 70 years, 528 being indigents and 1,203 pensioners.
Mr Alhassan appealed to interested parties to come on board and join in wooing more people to register with the scheme.
He said a total of 64,563 cards were issued in 2007, adding that GH¢94,969.62 was also realised as premium by the end of last year.
The Wa Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Mohammed Aziz, in a speech read on his behalf, challenged the staff of the scheme to redouble their efforts to make the scheme one of the best in the country.