In a groundbreaking move, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced that free dialysis treatment will be available in 40 health facilities across Ghana, starting December 1, 2024.
This initiative is expected to bring relief to millions of Ghanaians suffering from renal diseases, who previously had to bear the exorbitant cost of dialysis.
According to the NHIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, the authority has already listed 40 pilot health facilities, including private hospitals, where patients can access the free dialysis service.
Dr. Aboagye emphasized that the program is sustainable, with the NHIA having secured the necessary funds to implement it.
He also stated that the NHIA will engage the heads of these facilities on November 26 to discuss the implementation of the service.
The cost of dialysis in Ghana is currently between GHC300 and GHC1,000, making it inaccessible to many citizens.
Available data suggests that between 4 million and 5.2 million Ghanaians suffer from some form of renal function impairment.
This initiative is expected to alleviate the financial burden on these individuals and improve their quality of life.
The free dialysis treatment initiative has been hailed as a major achievement by the government, with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia promising that the program will be sustained.
Dr. Bawumia stated that the new free dialysis policy reflects the government’s commitment to improving the well-being of citizens suffering from renal diseases.
The NHIA’s free dialysis treatment initiative is a significant milestone in Ghana’s healthcare system, particularly in the treatment of renal diseases.
The program is expected to improve the quality of life of millions of Ghanaians suffering from renal diseases and alleviate the financial burden on them.
-BY Daniel Bampoe