Government Plans to Include Kidney Dialysis in NHIS: The Government of Ghana has announced that plans are well underway to add kidney dialysis for patients with renal disease to the list of ailments covered permanently by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

According to Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, the CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the NHIA board is set to meet next month to finalize the decision.

The initiative to support dialysis patients began in June, with the government covering the cost of treatment at various levels. Under the program, vulnerable patients were provided with eight free dialysis sessions per month, while others received subsidized sessions. The current six-month free dialysis program is scheduled to end in two months, prompting public concern over what will happen once the period elapses.

Addressing Initial Challenges

The government’s free dialysis initiative faced some early challenges, leading to dissatisfaction and concerns among patients with kidney disease. However, Dr. Aboagye assured that these issues have been resolved and that plans to sustain the program are progressing smoothly.

“We have reviewed the data, and it shows that we can continue supporting dialysis patients,” he said. “The actual costs are lower than projected because not all allocated funds have been used. With this information, we will project the necessary budget to roll out the program nationwide.”

Government Plans to Include Kidney Dialysis in NHIS: Financial Arrangements

The NHIA made payments for June and July, and then advanced payments for August and September to ensure facilities had the funds required to provide services. Initially, some facilities faced challenges adjusting to the new system, which led the NHIA to issue a statement requiring that any patients who paid for services in June be refunded.

According to Dr. Aboagye, all refunds have been processed, with Major Ankara, a representative for the dialysis patients, confirming that patients have received their money.

Equity in Funding Allocation

The NHIA has also addressed disparities in support between different facilities, such as the case of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, which had an additional subsidy from a philanthropist. To ensure fairness, the NHIA implemented an equity-based approach to distribute funds equitably across all facilities.

Sustained Discussions Leading to the Initiative

The government launched the six-month free dialysis program following weeks of public discourse on the state of dialysis treatment in the country. The NHIA’s decision to extend and potentially make the program a permanent benefit under the NHIS reflects its commitment to improving healthcare access for patients with kidney disease.

As the NHIA board prepares to meet next month, the future of the program looks promising, with the potential to significantly alleviate the financial burden on patients needing life-saving dialysis treatment.

Government Plans to Include Kidney Dialysis in NHIS

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