Don’t rush pregnant women to NHIS offices – Manager

Health Service providers have been called upon to halt rushing non-card bearing pregnant women to the National health Insurance Scheme for registration during critical periods.

Mr Sampson Egyire Nyarkoh, Agona West Municipal Scheme Manager, made the call when he addressed workers of the Swedru Government Hospital as part of activities marking the 10th anniversary celebration of the scheme at Agona Swedru.

He said the Health Insurance Law allowed pregnant women to be registered free with the scheme and bemoaned the activities of health facility managers who sometimes waited until the women are either in labour or critical conditions before rushing them to be given cards.

Mr Nyarkoh alleged that “some doctors after operating upon these pregnant women and realizing that they cannot pay their bills rush them to the scheme for consideration to be registered to enable them claim their money”.

According to Scheme Manager this attitude creates tension and anxiety among the staff of the NHIS.

Mr Michael Nkansah, Deputy Biomedical Scientist at Agona Swedru Government Hospital, expressed concern about the situation where relatives of patients fail to replace blood given to their patients under critical conditions.

He said the blood given instantly to save patients is done such that their relatives would replace them later.

The Deputy Biomedical Scientist expressed worry about the situation where many people are unwilling to donate blood saying they need to disregard all skepticisms on blood donation.

Mr Hubert Leo-Mensah, Agona Swedru Manager of Classfam Pharmacy company, who sponsored the blood donation programme said management spent more than GH¢3, 000 on the event.

Source: GNA