As part of its expanded healthcare plan, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has announced that 20 recognized hospitals throughout Ghana will offer free dialysis therapy.
The selected facilities include major healthcare providers such as Hart Adventist Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Holy Family Hospital in Berekum, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Eastern Regional Hospital, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, 37 Military Hospital, and Newtown Islamic Hospital Ltd.
Other hospitals on the list are Ghana Police Hospital, Trust Hospital Premium Centre, Ridge Regional Hospital, International Maritime Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Upper West Regional Hospital, Ho Teaching Hospital, Volta Regional Hospital in Hohoe, Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, and Takoradi Hospital.
This proposal comes after Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia recently declared that renal patients covered by the NHIS would begin receiving free dialysis therapy on December 1, 2024.
Dr. Bawumia highlighted that the new policy builds on a successful pilot program that was started earlier this year and that the government is committed to reducing the financial burden on kidney patients and their families. Patients under the age of 18 and those over 60 were the focus of the pilot, which gave vulnerable populations vital support.
Free dialysis services at the specified hospitals will be available to all registered renal patients insured by the NHIS under the revised plan.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has reassured the public of its preparedness in response to worries regarding resource readiness. More dialysis equipment is being provided to the chosen facilities to meet the anticipated demands.
The NHIA’s CEO, Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, affirmed that World Bank financing would be of support to the implementation.
He expressed hope that the policy will lessen the suffering of renal patients across the country and increase access to life-saving dialysis treatments.
