Josiah
Through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the government has officially launched a groundbreaking initiative to provide free dialysis treatment for individuals with renal diseases, starting December 1, 2024.
NHIA Chief Executive, Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, announced this lifesaving program during a press conference at the NHIA Head Office in Accra on November 26, 2024. He emphasized the government’s commitment to funding the initiative, estimating a budget requirement of GHS 20 million to GHS 57 million. Forty accredited health facilities across the country have been tasked with delivering this service, ensuring financial risk protection for patients facing the high cost of dialysis treatment.
Preparation and Implementation
Ahead of the official rollout, Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye met with the heads of the 40 designated health facilities to finalize preparations and caution against illegal charges or extortion. Speaking earlier at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, he highlighted the initiative as a testament to the government’s dedication to enhancing healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
During the pilot phase, the NHIA disbursed over GHS 1.5 million to facilities including Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Efia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (ENRH), Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH), Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) for dialysis patient care.
Infrastructure Support
Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye announced plans to equip major health facilities with additional modern dialysis machines to support the program’s smooth operation at a consultative forum hosted by KATH in Kumasi. He noted that the World Bank is funding this procurement in compliance with public procurement regulations, ensuring quality healthcare delivery.
Financial Sustainability
Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye commended the government for consistently releasing funds to the NHIA, enabling the settlement of GHS 1.2 billion in claims to credentialed healthcare providers. He also revealed that the NHIA is revising the Scheme’s medicine tariffs to align with market fluctuations affecting pharmaceutical companies.
This free dialysis program represents a transformative step in addressing the healthcare needs of renal patients in Ghana, underscoring the government’s focus on improving healthcare accessibility and outcomes for its citizens.
