Zain Insures 'Kayayei'

As part of its social corporate responsibility, ZAIN GHANA has donated 400 National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards to female porters (kayayei) of the Kayayei Association of Ghana who operate within the Mallam Atta market, near Accra.

“The gesture comes as a welcome relief to the beneficiaries who are usually left to their fate in times of ailment due to financial difficulties.

With their NHIS membership, these young porters can now access health services without having to bother about payment, which hitherto, was a major consideration, that prevented them from seeking treatment from recognized health facilities,” Carmen Bruce Annan, Corporate Communications & External Affairs Manager of Zain Ghana said.

She said last year, Zain Ghana initiated the “Touching Lives” reality show to reward individuals, who had contributed significantly to their communities by granting them their wish.

For his efforts at educating young girls in the northern parts of the country and discouraging them from migrating to Accra in pursuit of non-existent jobs, Michael Wempare Alongyah, founder of the Kayayei Association of Ghana was recently rewarded by Zain Ghana.

The Zain “Touching Lives” team gave him a generator, projector and screen, a set of public address system and sewing machines to enable him carry on with his awareness creation programme.

Zain has also pledged to register members of the association under the NHIS as part of its corporate social responsibility.

The company noted that it would produce Alongyah's documentary in English and Dagbani on the plight of female porters.

Mr Alongyah also appealed to the President and Vice President respectively to rescue 'kayayei' by instituting a programme that would stem the influx of young girls from the northern parts of the country to Accra.

“Since most of these porters are subject to living in public places and usually work as load carriers through busy streets, this facility should help to avoid any medical neglect.

The NHIS card will provide for a list of other NHIS listed health services such as in-patient and out-patient services, free medicines listed on the NHIS, general surgeries and oral health care,” Mrs Bruce Annan mentioned.

By Samuel Boadi