THE National Health Insurance Scheme will come out with a new minimum premium, and a new drugs list from next month. The changes have become necessary to reflect economic reality and market prices and to bring uniformity in the operation of the scheme, Obed Okudzeto, a board member of the NHIS, has said. Addressing a training workshop at Ho for scheme managers and staff of the Ghana Health Service from 15 districts in the Volta Region, he said the changes are also to ensure efficiency and effective utilisation of services provided by the scheme. The present minimum premium is GH¢7.50. The five-day workshop was designed to keep the participants abreast of the scheme's operation, particularly in the payment of premium and the knowledge on approved drugs list to remove difficulties in the implementation of the scheme. Dr. Andrew Arde-Acquah, Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, advised stakeholders of the NHIS to ensure communication flow to remove obstacles facing the scheme. He noted that both service providers and users need continuous education for the success of the programme. Source: The Ghanaian Times