The Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Joseph Amankwah, has appealed to the government to review the act establishing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable HIV/AIDS patients to have access to healthcare.
Speaking in an interview with the GNA in Bolgatanga, Dr. Amankwah said the definition of "indigent" in the NHIS Act was strict and posed an obstacle in the way of extending assistance to persons living with HIV/AIDS who could not afford the 72,000 cedis premium to register with the scheme.
He said: "An indigent as implied in the Act covers only the poor, destitute and homeless who live on the streets, without any consideration for AIDS patients from very poor homes who are unable to even afford one proper meal a day."
He said for most of those patients the ¢50,000 fee required for the administering of anti-retroviral drugs was a huge burden.
Mr Amankwa said the number of AIDS treatment centres in the region had increased from one to three, namely Bolgatanga, Bawku and Navrongo hospitals and that his outfit had plans to establish three more centres at Bongo, Sandema and Zebilla in due course.
"The intention is to enable as many HIV/AIDS patients in the region as possible to have access to anti-retroviral treatment but the question of affordability poses a threat to the attainment of this objective," Dr. Amankwah said.
He mentioned the shortage of medical staff as a major hindrance to efficient and effective healthcare delivery in the region and said the doctor-patient ratio in most of the area's health facilities stood at 1:60,000.
Source: GNA
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
NPP flagbearer promises to enhance role of chiefs when elected President
12 mins -
Ghana must focus on developing grass seeds to fix pitch problems – UK-based analyst
22 mins -
GRASAG to host Young Agripreneurs Conference at UPSA, GIMPA and University of Ghana
1 hour -
Akrobi residents demand completion of ‘$1m per constituency’ toilet project
1 hour -
Diaz scores twice to send Liverpool top
1 hour -
Jackson double helps Chelsea brush aside West Ham
1 hour -
2024/25 GPL: Kotoko chase winning start at Obuasi against Young Apostles
1 hour -
Gideon Boako holds fruitful discussion with ‘Ghetto boys’
1 hour -
Yellow Ghana presidential candidate challenges disqualification from presidential race
2 hours -
Allow the public go about their business without hindrance – Police warns Democracy Hub protesters
2 hours -
My grandchildren will drink polluted water if we don’t stop galamsey – Protestor
2 hours -
EC has concluded investigation into alleged Pusiga voter transfer – Bossman Asare
2 hours -
Photos from Democracy Hub’s demonstration
3 hours -
Some disqualified presidential candidates threaten legal action against EC
4 hours -
Nissan Daring Africa: Navara and X-Trail conquer eight countries in epic expedition
4 hours