Ghana's NHIA unveils free Dialysis Program to ease burden on Renal Patients

Ghana's National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has rolled out a free dialysis program for renal patients, as part of the government's efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.

The program, which is expected to benefit over 1,200 renal patients, was announced during a meeting between the NHIA and the Renal Patients Association of Ghana. The meeting discussed the program's benefits, eligibility criteria, and enrollment process.

According to Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, Chief Executive of the NHIA, the program is sustainable and will be funded by the government, annual budgetary allocations, development partners, and corporate bodies.

According to him, the World Bank will also provide funding for the procurement of modern dialysis machines to support major health facilities authorized to provide free renal services to NHIS active members.

“As part of the rollout, the Authority will be training biomedical science engineers, nephrologists and general nurses under the World Bank program to support the specialists Doctors in the discharge of the services,'' he stated.

The program has been welcomed by the Renal Patients Association of Ghana, which has expressed gratitude for the initiative. “We are grateful for the free dialysis policy, which will greatly alleviate the financial burden on kidney patients and their families. We look forward to working closely with the NHIA to ensure the policy’s successful implementation.”said Mr. Kojo Baffour Ahenkorah, President of the Association.

The Acting Director of the NHIA Strategic Health Purchasing Directorate, Dr. Ruby Aileen Mensah Annan (Mrs.) advised renal patients whose NHIS membership cards have expired to renew them in order to benefit from the program.

The Authority estimates that it will need between GHS20 million and GHS57 million annually for claims payments.

Source: Florence Kyei / Lead News Online