In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has announced that, from June 1, 2024, until December 2024, Ghanaian citizens under the age of 18 and over 60 suffering from kidney diseases will be entitled to eight free dialysis sessions monthly.
Dr Da-Costa Aboagye, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of NHIA, confirmed this, stating that the Ghanaian government and parliament have approved an amount of GH¢2,000,000.00, as outlined in the NHIA’s 2024 Allocation Formula. This initiative aims to assist underserved and financially challenged patients in need of dialysis.
Additionally, the NHIA has allocated a generous amount of GH¢2,400,000.00 from its Corporate Social Responsibility budget to support the scheme.
“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 indicated that the monthly cost for verified patients is estimated at GH¢329,952. The total expenditure of the free dialysis is anticipated to reach approximately GH¢2.3 million by December.
The statement clarified that patients aged between 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 receive a subsidy covering two dialysis sessions per month amounting to GH¢982.00 in total, equating 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 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.
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