The government has announced the inclusion of dialysis support for needy patients under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), marking a significant step toward easing the financial burden on individuals suffering from kidney diseases.
The initiative follows the release of 1.5 million Ghana Cedis out of a total of 2 million Ghana Cedis allocated in 2024 to pilot the programme to support patients who were undergoing dialysis treatment but unable to afford the high cost of care.
Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, disclosed this development in Parliament after MPs approved a 10 billion Ghana Cedi allocation for the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to implement its 2025 Distribution Formula on Friday, May 30.
“What we have done is that we have included dialysis as part of the benefit package of the National Health Insurance Scheme, just like malaria or any other disease. The policy direction is that we are going to fund the dialysis issues in this country.”
The Minister also stated that the 10 billion Ghana Cedi allocation will also fund the government’s Free Primary Health Care policy. This policy is designed to allow all citizens to access basic healthcare services at no cost.
“So, a Ghanaian is sick and he or she goes to the CHPS compound or the health center, the policy is that he must be treated free of charge. As a result of the withdrawal of support from our donor partners, there has been a huge funding gap in the health sector due to the withdrawal of our partners, like the USAID.
“Therefore, that revenue will go to fill the gap. A certain percentage will be taken from the NHIS fund to support the Mahama Cares.”