National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Free Dialysis Initiative

Starting June 1, 2024, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will offer eight free dialysis sessions monthly to kidney disease patients under 18 and over 60 years of age. This initiative, running through December 2024, marks the 20th anniversary of the scheme, according to an announcement by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of NHIA, confirmed the initiative as part of the anniversary celebrations. The government of Ghana has allocated GH¢2,000,000.00 for this effort, as detailed in the NHIA's 2024 Allocation Formula, to support financially challenged and vulnerable patients requiring dialysis.

Additionally, NHIA has committed another GH¢2,400,000.00 from its Corporate Social Responsibility budget to bolster 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 initiative follows the verification of current dialysis patients, estimating the monthly cost for the specified age groups at GH¢329,952. By December 2024, the total expenditure is anticipated to be around GH¢2.3 million.

Patients aged 18 to 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 receive a subsidy for two dialysis sessions per month, costing GH¢982.00 in total, or GH¢491 per session. The monthly cost for this category is projected at GH¢144,354, with an estimated cumulative cost of GH¢1.01 million by the end of December 2024.

For patients at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), a subsidy will cover two dialysis sessions each month at a reduced cost of GH¢245.50 per session, thanks to a philanthropic contribution of GH¢380.00 per patient. The monthly cost for this group is expected to be GH¢147,300, with a projected total cost of GH¢1.03 million by December 2024.

“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.

Source by www.ghanaweb.com