NHIS INCREASES HOSPITAL ATTENDANCE IN WR (PAGE 20)

Story: Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Takoradi

THE implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has increased out-patient department (OPD) attendance in health facilities in the Western Region, from 1,324,866 in 2006 to 1,724,606 in 2007.
The OPD visit per capita has also increased significantly from 0.57 per cent in 2006 to 0.72 per cent in 2007.
Besides, the number of pregnant women attending clinic has also shot up from 86,328 to 87,975 in the region.
In addition, Penta Three immunisation of children under 11 months has improved from high coverage of 85,461, representing 92 per cent to 89,707 or 94 per cent.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr A.E. Amoah, announced these at the closing ceremony of a three-day annual performance review meeting of the Western Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in Takoradi.
It was on the theme: “Renewing Leadership Commitment for Ghana Health Service Agenda.”
Mr Amoah commended the health workers to improve supervised delivery. He said the government had maintained its commitment to supporting strategies which could improve access to basic health care for the majority of people in the country.
The regional minister said as a result of that, the government had supported the implementation of the NHIS.
Citing the Children’s Ward at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, for example, Mr Amoah said the number of admissions of children between the ages of one and four was 1,590.
He said out of that figure, insured clients were 440, representing 27.7 per cent, while non-insured clients were 1,150 or 72.3 per cent.
Mr Amoah stated that out of a total deaths of 155, two were insured, representing 1.3 per cent, while non-insured were 153 or 98.7 per cent.
He noted that the incidence of malaria accounted for 46.9 per cent of OPD attendance, 38.9 per cent of hospital admissions, and 16.5 per cent of hospital death in the Western Region was still a cause for concern.
He said the poor reception given to clients by some service providers had seriously brought the image of the health sector in the region into disrepute.
The Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr S.D. Anemana, said maternal deaths had decreased from 122 in 2006 to 111 in 2007.
He said 10 per cent of maternal deaths were from malaria, and that the introduction of treated bed nets for pregnant women was to help reduce maternal deaths.
Dr Anemana said the doctor-patient ratio was worsening, while nurse-patient ratio was encouraging.
Dr Anemana said the doctor-patient ratio was one doctor to 9,600 patients in 2005, while in 2007 it was one doctor to 15,000 patients.
“As health managers, you are responsible for ensuring that all staff of the service in this region respect the policies, regulations and procedures of the GHS,” he said.