Starting June 1, 2024, through December 2024, individuals who are under 18 and over 60 years of age and suffering from kidney diseases will be eligible for eight free dialysis sessions monthly, this is according to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
This initiative, revealed by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), celebrates the scheme’s 20th anniversary.
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of NHIA, Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, confirmed in a statement that this effort is part of the anniversary festivities.
An amount of GH¢2,000,000.00 has been sanctioned by the government of Ghana and approved by parliament, as outlined in the NHIA’s 2024 Allocation Formula.
The aim is to assist the financially-challenged and vulnerable patients in need of dialysis treatments.
In addition, the NHIA has dedicated an extra GH¢2,400,000.00 from its Corporate Social Responsibility budget, approved for the scheme, to further support this significant health intervention.
“As part of NHIA’s 20th Anniversary, the NHIA, through administrative arrangements has allocated an additional GH¢2,400,000.00, under the Corporate Social Responsibility approved budget of the scheme to support this initiative,” the statement said.
The report also stated that following the verification of patients currently undergoing dialysis, the monthly cost for those within the specified categories is estimated at GH¢329,952.
By the conclusion of December 2024, the total expenditure is anticipated to reach approximately GH¢2.3 million.
The statement also detailed that patients between the ages of 18 and 59 at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Efia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Ho Teaching Hospital, and Tamale Teaching Hospital, excluding those at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), will be granted a subsidy.
This subsidy will cover two dialysis sessions per month, amounting to GH¢982.00 in total, which equates to GH¢491 per session.
“The cost of dialysis for this treatment category is projected to be GH¢144,354 per month and by the end of December 2024, the cumulative cost is estimated to be approximately GH¢1.01 million,” it added.
The statement clarified that patients at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) are eligible for a subsidy covering two dialysis sessions each month.
The cost per session is GH¢245.50, which is 50 percent of the standard session price of GH¢491.00.
This reduction is possible thanks to a philanthropic contribution of GH¢380.00 per patient, aimed at ensuring cost equity across all medical facilities.
For this group of patients at KBTH, the monthly cost of dialysis is expected to be GH¢147,300.
By the end of December 2024, the total cost is projected to reach approximately GH¢1.03 million, the statement said.
“The Government is committed to finding sustainable interventions to dealing with renal diseases and other illnesses not currently covered under the NHIS in a holistic manner, and will soon unveil a sustainable plan,” the statement concluded.