Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, CEO of the NHIA, addresses the press
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has unveiled a initiative to provide free dialysis services to an estimated 1,200 patients across the country. The programme, which is set to cost the Authority between GH₵20 million and GH₵57 million, is part of a broader commitment to improving access to essential healthcare services for individuals battling kidney disease.
Addressing the media at NHIA Head Office, Ridge, Dr. Dacosta Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, disclosed that the Authority’s financial modeling projected a patient range of 400 to 1,200 who would require dialysis treatment annually. This projection, he noted, enabled the NHIA to plan adequately to accommodate the associated costs within its financial capacity.
Pilot phase
He said the initiative commenced in June with a pilot programme targeting specific age groups. Children under 18 and adults over 60 benefited from eight free dialysis sessions, while individuals aged 19 to 59 received two free sessions.
Dr. Aboagye described the pilot as a crucial step in refining the programme’s implementation and assessing the feasibility of broader coverage.
Sustenance
He indicated that to ensure the sustainability of this programme, the NHIA had earmarked a projected budget of GH₵8.1 billion for 2025. Dr. Aboagye assured Ghanaians that the Authority would adopt internal cost-reduction measures, particularly by cutting administrative expenses, to redirect funds towards providing the dialysis services.
In addition to financial measures, he said, the NHIA was taking steps to expand the availability of dialysis infrastructure nationwide. He added that through a partnership with the World Bank, 30 dialysis machines had already been procured, with approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) for the acquisition of 15 more machines.
The NHIA CEO stated that the procurement process for these additional machines was expected to begin shortly, further bolstering the country’s capacity to deliver life-saving treatment.
Collaboration
Dr. Aboagye appealed to the public and stakeholders to support the programme, rather than politicizing it. “This is a critical intervention that will save lives and alleviate the financial burden on families dealing with kidney disease,” he said.
The CEO reiterated the NHIA’s commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to all Ghanaians, particularly for those battling chronic illnesses like kidney disease.
Impact
He mentioned that chronic kidney disease was a growing health concern in the country, with many patients unable to afford regular dialysis treatments, which could cost up to GH₵380 per session. He noted that by covering the cost of these sessions, the NHIA aims to reduce the financial strain on affected families and improve health outcomes for individuals requiring dialysis.
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