The Kintampo Health Insurance scheme, which started in 2005 with an initial membership of 16,795, can now boast of 67,513 active members who have valid identification cards able to access health care. No doubt, it has been able to live up to its dream motto: becoming healthier and stronger.

Management of the scheme, therefore, marked the beginning of its 10th anniversary celebration with breast cancer and dental screening in the forecourt of the scheme’s office in Kintampo.

Welcoming people from far and near, the scheme’s manager, Mr Jacob Amoako underscored the significance of activities lined up to commence the celebration, explaining that management opted for breast cancer screening not only because the scheme intended to observe the “World Breast Cancer Month” but also to advocate and encourage women to screen their breasts to free themselves of cancer.

The manager further explained that dental screening was strategically added to the programme to create awareness among people to go for screening.

Mr Amoako use the occasion to inform the gathering that the Kintampo Municipal Health Insurance Scheme came top in two awards in the region; first, the scheme with the best administrative and operational practices, and second, the scheme that collaborates most effectively with its District or Municipal Assembly.

In an interview, Mr J.K. Bonfeh, a retired educationist and a former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), commended management and staff of the scheme for bringing the scheme this far in spite of several challenges.

Mr Bonfeh advised them to continue to work with the same spirit and zeal, adding that he would encourage many more people to join the scheme.

The Krontehene of the Mo Traditional Council, Nana Adjei Adinkra II, who also shared his opinion in a similar interview thanked government for continuing with the scheme, observing that the success of the scheme has proved critics wrong.

Later, the Co-ordinating Director of the Kintampo Municipal Assembly, Mr Joseph Nyankamawu who represented the MCE, Hon. Michael Justice Baffoe, on behalf of the scheme, donated some assorted food items, soft drinks and fruits, including bread, biscuits, baby diapers, toilet rolls, voltic and satche mineral water, and a wall clock to the children’s ward of the Kintampo Hospital.

Receiving the items, the acting Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Gavin Apio, thanked the scheme management for the kind gesture while expressing hope that much bigger donation will come in the near future.

The scheme’s management later led dignitaries, including the immediate MCE for the area, Alhaji Seidu Harison, to the Sunkwa clinic. It came to light that the clinic, a reliable collaborator of the scheme, is indispensable in the success story of health insurance scheme in Kintampo. Through its accreditation with the scheme, the proprietor of the clinic has been able to build a 3- storey building to replace an old wooden edifice where it operated as the only clinic in the township.

ISD