Source: newsthemegh.com
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has stated that individuals with kidney disorders who are under the age of 18 or above 60 will receive all eight dialysis treatments per month free of charge under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from June 1, 2024 to December 20, 2024.
The action was a part of NHIA’s 20th anniversary celebration, according to a statement signed by Ag. Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, in Accra.
It stated that the Government of Ghana, which was authorized by Parliament to spend GH¢2,000,000.00 in the NHIA’s 2024 Allocation Formula to assist vulnerable and indigent patients undergoing dialysis treatment, was the source of funding for the 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.
After verifying that the patients are indeed receiving dialysis, the cost of care for those falling into the categories is expected to be GH¢329,952 each month, with a potential cumulative cost of GH¢2.3 million by the end of December 2024.
Patients between the ages of 18 and 59 from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Efia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Ho Teaching Hospital, and Tamale Teaching Hospital—aside from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH)—would also receive some kind of reimbursement for two dialysis sessions per month at GH¢982.00, or GH¢491 per session, according to the statement.
It stated that patients at KBTH will be eligible for a subsidy for two dialysis sessions per month at GH¢245.50 each, which is 50% of the session cost at GH¢491.00. This is because these patients will be granted a philanthropic gesture of GH¢380.00 in order to address equity across all facilities.
“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,” statement added.
According to the statement, the monthly cost of dialysis for this treatment category at KBTH is expected to be GH¢147,300, and the total estimated cost by the end of December 2024 is likely to be around GH¢1.03 million.
According to a statement made by Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye during his visit to the KBTH to inspect some important government health projects and interventions, it was reported in May that people with kidney diseases would receive some kind of subsidy in the treatment of dialysis by the end of this year.
“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.
In order to guarantee that renal patients were placed on the NHIS in order to lessen the cost of dialysis therapy, the minister pledged to spearhead talks with the NHIA and the Health Committee in Parliament.
The Renal Patients Association of Ghana had complained about the high cost of dialysis and treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) and other public health institutions. This was the result of their complaints.