Akwatia Hospital Embraces NHIS

Despite the skepticism of some people about the National Health Insurance Scheme during its introduction, the Ghana Consolidated Diamonds Limited Hospital at Akwatia in the Eastern Region, sees it as its saviour.

This is because but for the scheme, the hospital would have collapsed as a result of the crises GCD has been going through for sometime now.

Dr. John Bello, Principal Medical Officer in-charge of the hospital, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Akwatia that in the absence of resources from the mine, substantial amount of reimbursement from the scheme for services provided has made it possible for the hospital to stock its pharmacy and meet other commitments as well.

About 96 per cent of the hospital’s clients he said, are covered by the scheme and even though payment is not on time, it still helps the facility to meet its obligations.

Dr. Bellow was emphatic that in spite of the partial closure of the mine, the hospital is still in business with an average daily attendance of 300 patients.

He said the hospital’s staff of one permanent doctor and two local medical officers assisting, 20 nurses and another 20 health extension workers is a major constraint, on the NHIS.

Another problem, he said, was the lack of space for an out-patients department and inadequate wards for in-patients since the facility was initially not meant for a large number of people. Dr. Bello said the hospital’s rehabilitated theatre would be inaugurated by the end of this month. He thanked the British High Commission for providing 10,000 pounds sterling for the rehabilitation work and disclosed that an experienced surgeon would be attached to the hospital by the beginning of next January.