Mr Kwadwo Affram-Asiedu, Eastern Regional Minister, on Tuesday called on the managements of National Health Insurance Schemes (NHIS), to intensify education and focus more on preventive health care. “You should embark on outreach programmes with health educators to educate the people on sound environmental and personal hygiene practices to ensure good health and reduction on medical bills, “he added. Mr Affram-Asiedu made the call in a speech read on his behalf at the third Annual General Meeting of Akuapem North District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme at Abiriw-Akuapem. He appealed to health service providers to put “love of God and service to humanity” above their personal considerations and avoid exploiting the vulnerable in society. Okatakyie Kusi Obuadum Amoyaw V, Chairman of Board of Directors of the Scheme, said since its inception in 2005 with 14,200 clients it had increased to 65,690 clients by the end of November 30, this year and 59,704 of them had been issued with identity cards. He said management paid GH¢17,300 for claims in 2005 and this increased to GH¢503,057 in 2007. Okatakyie Amoyaw said some challenges facing the scheme were inadequate funds to pay claims, administrative expenses and staff to operate. Source: GNA