The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has announced a groundbreaking initiative to provide free dialysis sessions for eligible patients at designated facilities starting December 1, 2024.
This move aims to ease the financial burden on individuals living with chronic kidney disease. Under the initiative, eight free sessions per month will be available to patients under 18 and those over 60 years old, while individuals aged 19 to 59 will receive two free sessions monthly. The initiative is part of efforts to expand access to life-saving healthcare services and alleviate the rising cost of dialysis treatment.
The NHIS CEO, Dr. DaCosta Aboagye, emphasized that the government has allocated GH¢2 million to cover these services over the next six months. He reassured the public about the financial sustainability of the scheme, stating, “This subsidy will not compromise the viability of the NHIS, as it is a well-planned intervention to support those in need.” The announcement has been met with widespread praise, especially from advocacy groups like the Ghana Kidney Association, which described the initiative as a significant relief for kidney patients across the country.
In addition to the provision of free dialysis, the Ghana Kidney Association has urged the government to make this support permanent and extend it to all age groups. The association also called for the passage of a legislative framework to facilitate organ transplants, which it identified as a cost-effective and sustainable solution for managing chronic kidney disease. The association highlighted the need for timely reimbursement of dialysis facilities to ensure uninterrupted services.
This initiative, which is set to roll out nationwide, is a response to growing concerns over the high cost of dialysis treatments and its impact on patients. The NHIS has partnered with various healthcare providers to implement the program effectively, with the ultimate goal of reducing mortality and improving the quality of life for individuals battling kidney diseases in Ghana
See the Hospitals Offering Free Dialysis Sessions in Ghana
Hospitals offering free dialysis treatment in Ghana
