The Ghanaian government has announced plans to permanently include kidney disease dialysis among the ailments covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
This decision follows a successful six-month pilot program that began in June 2024.
Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), stated that the board will finalize the decision during its upcoming meeting next month.
Under the pilot program, the NHIA absorbed the cost of dialysis for all patients at varying rates, with vulnerable groups receiving free eight sessions per month.
While the program was initially scheduled to end in two months, concerns arose about its sustainability.
Despite challenges faced during the initial stages of the program, which led to agitations from renal disease patients, the NHIA CEO assured the public of the government’s commitment to continuing the initiative. He explained that data analysis revealed the program’s effectiveness and affordability.
Dr. Aboagye also addressed outstanding issues related to the program’s implementation, such as delayed payments to healthcare facilities and discrepancies in patient reimbursements.
He confirmed that these issues have been resolved and that all eligible patients have received their due payments.
The government’s decision to permanently include dialysis in the NHIS is a significant step towards improving access to healthcare for patients with kidney disease.
This move is expected to alleviate the financial burden on patients and their families, while ensuring timely and affordable treatment.
