Gender Children & Social Protection ministry extends free NHIS to the aged in Akropong 


The Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection has extended the free registration of the aged above 65 years unto the National Health Insurance Scheme to the Akropong North Municipality. 

In collaboration with the National Insurance Authority(NIA) the Ministry has registered five hundred elderly people under the scheme.  

The exercise is to enable the aged have easy access to health care services across the Country. 

The free registration forms part of the social intervention initiatives by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to make the aged have a comfortable life and promote their welfare. 

Addressing the aged at Akropong, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Nana Oye Lithur, said the government places premium on the well-being of the aged therefore it will not relent in its efforts at making life comfortable for them. 

She reiterated that the elderly during active service contributed significantly to the growth of the Country, therefore it is time their works are appreciated.
 
Mrs. Lithur disclosed that the Ministry will soon begin registration of the aged for the EBAN Welfare Cards to help the elderly pay half transport fares whenever they board the Metro Mass Buses and other commercial vehicles.                                                     

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, Nathaniel Otoo, stressed that health insurance is for all and not selected few. He said aside registering the aged, the Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender are registering prisoners on the scheme. 

Mr. Otoo said that NHIS card for the aged expires after five years and assured Ghanaians of receiving effective services upon registering unto the national health insurance scheme. 

The Akropong North Municipal Chief Executive, John Opare-Addo who pledged the Assembly’s continuous support for the free NHIS registration, appealed for the introduction of the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty, LEAP and the registration of the aged for the EBAN Welfare Cards in the Municipality. 

73-year-old, Efua Amponmaa who spoke to Radio Ghana, expressed joy at the free NHIS card and thanked the Ministry for the intervention. 

She urged the Ministry to extend the registration to all the aged across the Country. Madam Amponmaa said the card will go a long way to help address their health needs.


GBC