NHIS begins free 6-month dialysis support programme

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.