The absence of accredited pharmacy shops at Awutu Bawjiase is making it difficult for patrons of the National Health Insurance Scheme in the area to access prescribed drugs. Most of the sick have to trek to Kasoa and Agona Swedru to search for accredited pharmacy shops which their town could not offer. Mr Alex A. Gaglo, Principal Medical Assistant of the local Health Centre disclosed this when addressing the Open day Celebration of the Centre at Awutu Bawjiase in the Central Region. It was organized by the centre to create a platform for the chiefs and their elders, queen mothers, opinion leaders and stakeholders to share ideas on the promotion of health delivery in the area. The theme for the celebration was: "Collaborations between the public and Ghana Health Service staff of health activities". Mr Gaglo revealed that out of a total of 15,000 patients that visited the Centre, only about 5,000 people have registered with the National Health Insurance Scheme. He expressed concern about the long delay in payment of bills by the National Health Insurance Authority which was making it very difficult to buy drugs for the use. Mr Gaglo said 5,362 Malaria cases were recorded in 2009 as against 2,436 cases in 2008 at the Health Centre. The Medical Assistant appealed to the government, corporate bodies, financial institutions and other donors to provide the facility with ambulances, vehicles and a generator to facilitate its operations. Mrs Patricia Antwi, Awutu-Senya District Director of Health Services, appealed to the chiefs, Assembly members, and opinion leaders to educate the people on the need to register with the National health Insurance Scheme. Mrs Monica Effinah, Nursing Officer in Charge, expressed grave concern about the low patronage of family planning facility at the centre. She urged pregnant women in the area to attend antenatal clinic regularly to ensure easy and safe delivery. Nana Kweku Osardu, a sub-chief of Bawjiase, appealed to the National and Regional Health Services Authorities to upgrade the Bawjiase Health Centre to meet the ascending health needs of the people. Source: GNA