The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has officially commenced its Free Dialysis Coverage programme for vulnerable patient categories, fulfilling a promise aimed at enhancing access and affordability of dialysis treatment in Ghana.
A statement signed and released by Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer of NHIA, said that as part of the initiative, six major healthcare providers submitted their lists of chronic dialysis patients treated in June.
The statement revealed that the NHIA had since disbursed a total of GHS 587,236 to these providers, marking the first month of the program’s implementation.
Distribution of funds
The distribution of funds includes an amount of GHS 96,236.00 for Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), GHS 77,578.00 for Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), GHS 92,308.00 for Efia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (ENRH), and GHS 83,470.00 for Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH).
Additionally, Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) has been given GHS 57,938.00, and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has received GHS 179,706.00, making the total fund distribution GHS 587,236.00.
According to the statement, these hospitals are tasked with managing the funds and ensuring that patients who paid out-of-pocket during June are fully reimbursed according to the approved amounts for their respective patient categories.
Reimbursement
The statement also outlined specific support for various patient categories under the program, effective from June to December 2024.
For patients aged 18 and below, and 60 years and above, these patients will receive eight free dialysis sessions per month under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
For persons aged 19 to 59 years, patients receiving treatment at KATH, CCTH, ENRH, HTH, and TTH will receive two free dialysis sessions per month.
Patients receiving treatment at KBTH will receive a subsidy for two dialysis sessions per month, with the NHIA covering 50% of the cost of these sessions.
The statement emphasised the Authority’s dedication to providing quality healthcare access for all.
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