In June, the NHIA began covering the cost of dialysis for all patients at varying levels, providing free sessions for vulnerable individuals—up to eight sessions per month—while others received subsidies.
The government’s free dialysis program, which launched four months ago, is set to conclude in two months. Since the initiative’s announcement, concerns have arisen regarding the future of the program after the six-month period ends.
These worries are compounded by several challenges the program faced initially, leading to protests from patients with renal diseases.
The CEO of the NHIA has addressed concerns regarding the dialysis initiative, assuring that plans are in place to sustain the program.
He stated, “The team has analyzed the data, and we’ve found that we can support dialysis patients effectively, even with the funds we’ve been providing. There will be positive updates starting next month. The board needs to decide on the next steps promptly. Interestingly, we are spending less than anticipated because the facilities have not fully utilized the projected amounts, which were based on initial estimates. We now have actual costs from the specialized facilities we selected, and this will help us roll out the program nationwide.”
He added that all initial issues with the program have been resolved. “We started in June, paying for June and July, and then covering August and September upfront to ensure facilities had the funds to operate. Initially, when facilities were adjusting, we announced that any patient who paid in June would be refunded. They have received their refunds. Major Ankara, their leader, confirmed that what we’ve done is unprecedented. However, Korle Bu had a special case where a philanthropist was providing additional subsidies. To ensure equity, we compared what Korle Bu patients were receiving with what others were getting and allocated funds accordingly.”
The government’s six-month free dialysis program for patients with renal diseases was implemented following extensive public discussions about dialysis issues in the country.
