40 facilities to provide free dialysis treatment from December 1 – NHIA CEO
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Dacosta Aboagye, has announced that free dialysis services will be available in 40 health facilities across Ghana starting December 1, 2024. This initiative aims to provide relief to many Ghanaians who cannot afford the cost of dialysis, which currently ranges between GHC300 and GHC1,000. According to Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, patients will be able to access the service in 40 pilot health facilities, including private hospitals.
Dr. Aboagye emphasized that the programme is sustainable, as the Authority has the necessary funds to implement it. He also stated that a change of government will not affect the free dialysis treatment, as the service has already been incorporated into the NHIA’s benefits package and is backed by the constitution.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has promised to provide free dialysis treatment to patients, reflecting his government’s commitment to improving the well-being of citizens suffering from renal diseases. The pilot program was launched earlier this year for patients over 60 and under 18 years of age, and it’s expected to be extended to all individuals living with kidney diseases who require dialysis treatment, irrespective of their age, free of charge, starting December 1. Meanwhile, John Mahama of the NDC has promised to establish modern dialysis centres in regions that do not currently have one, improving access to treatment.
Available data indicates that approximately 2,000 people are currently receiving dialysis in the country. However, many individuals seek alternative forms of treatment and access renal care only when the situation becomes acute, negatively impacting their quality of life and life expectancy. This initiative is a significant milestone in Ghana’s healthcare system, particularly in the treatment of renal diseases.
