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The Koforidua Diocesan Bishop of the Catholic Church, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, has asked the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), to a matter of urgency pay claims due to health institutions and service providers to enable them deliver their services assiduously to ensure the delivery of quality health care in the country. Most Rev. Afrifah-Agyekum was speaking at the 21st World Day of the Sick of the Catholic Church at St Martin de Porres Hospital in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region. The World Day of the Sick was instituted in 1992 by the late Pope John Paul. The day is used to reach out to the poor, vulnerable, sick and the needy in the society by showing care. In his letter institution the commemoration of the day, Pope John Paul wrote that, the day should be a special time of prayer and sharing, offering ones suffering for the good of the Church and reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister the face of Christ who achieved salvation for mankind. This year�s celebration is on the theme, �Go and Do Likewise�. Most Rev Afrifah-Agyekum, noted that, delay in payment of claims to health institutions and service providers is crippling the running of such facilities which turn to affect the service delivered to clients. He said since the health institutions are contracted to deliver certain services, NHIA is mandated to pay the claims on time. Most Rev. Afrifah-Agyekum asked health practitioners to ensure quality delivery of service to their clients despite the challenges they face. They should show love and proper care to their patient to speed up their recovery rate which will also improve health care in the country. Most Rev. Afrifah-Agyekum entreated all and sundry to go to the aid of the poor, sick and afflicted, give them a sense of belonging in fulfillment of the Word of God. A Deputy Director of Nursing Services of the St Martin de Porres Hospital, Sister Cecilia Appiah, noted that, sickness is inevitable but some of them can be avoided if good health practices are observed. She therefore stressed the need for good hygiene practice since cleanliness is next to godliness.