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Free medical care has been extended to 28,434 children and the aged in 54 districts nationwide, who are already beneficiaries of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP). An amount of GH�1,358 has been released to cover the registration and premiums of the beneficiaries under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the Social Welfare Department (DSW) of the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare (MESW), has released the money to the respective District Mutual Health Insurance Schemes through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and their registration is currently being processed. Mr Lawrence Ofori-Addo, an Assistant Director of the DSW, told the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday that out of the number of beneficiaries, 17,341 were children under 18 and the elderly above 75, who were exempted under the National health Insurance Law (NHIL). For what category, the registration fees of GH�25,223 were to be paid, while 11,093 beneficiaries between 18 and 69 years though not exempt under the law, would have their registration fees and the premiums paid because they had been identified as not able to afford. The LEAP programme that transfers cash benefits to vulnerable households is also supposed to link the households up to social service, such as education and health. The collaboration between the MoH and the MSEW ensures that beneficiaries enjoy health series with the cash transfers. Already, a memorandum of understanding between the MESW and the Ministry of Education ensures that children in beneficiary households enjoy all education initiatives being implemented by the latter.