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12.11.2008 Health

Problems With Non-NHIS Drugs

12.11.2008 LISTEN
By Peter Gbambila, Shama - newtimesonline.com

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Shama District National Health Insurance Scheme, Wilson Doku, has stated that one of the problems facing the scheme is the prescription of drugs not covered under the scheme.

He said pregnant women are to receive free medical attention but since some of the drugs cannot be supplied free through the scheme it makes the system not totally free.

He said pregnant women often buy drugs and come with receipts only to be told that those drugs were not covered under the scheme and most of them often demanded our explanation for free medical care for pregnant women.

Mr Doku was speaking in an exclusive interview with the Times on the performance of the scheme in the district.

He said the scheme had paid a total  of GH¢429,494.66 from November 2005 to August 2008 as claims to health facilities.

He said a total of 72,297 people had so far registered with the scheme.

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributors he added, were the biggest with a total of 7,823 people who utilised the scheme.

SSNIT pensioners stood at 5,098 while the informal  sector was 26,949 people.

Mr Doku said clients come to the office and complain that hospital staff collect money from them but were not able to point to any particular staff.

The PRO appealed to the authorities concerned to provide a better package for pregnant women to make it completely free to reduce their complaints.

Logistically, the office is well equipped but added that machines break down which was usual, he said.

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