Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President and the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has announced that all patients under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will receive free dialysis treatment effective December 1, 2024.
While speaking at a campaign rally at Old Tafo in the Ashanti region on Sunday, November 10, he said this comes after a successful six-months pilot programme.
The programme offered dialysis for patients aged 60 and above, as well as those under 18 years with kidney diseases at no cost.
“Many people suffer from kidney diseases, requiring dialysis, which can be costly and unaffordable for many. Six months ago, we initiated a pilot programme to include dialysis under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). For the past six months, individuals over 60 and those under 18 have been receiving free dialysis.
“However, we are now concluding this pilot programme. Starting December 1 of this year, all kidney dialysis patients will be covered for free under the NHIS,” he stated.
In June of this year, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) announced the introduction of free dialysis coverage for some vulnerable patient categories.
According to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), this cost relief forms part of its 20th-anniversary celebration packages.
This initiative followed Parliament’s approval of GH₵2 million to cushion patients requiring dialysis in various parts of the country.