NHIS announces hospitals offering free dialysis

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has released a list of accredited health facilities set to provide free dialysis treatment across Ghana, effective December 1, 2024.

This initiative, announced by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, aims to alleviate the financial burden on kidney patients covered by the NHIS.

The policy builds on a successful pilot programme that earlier catered to patients under 18 and those over 60 years old.

The following hospitals will participate in the program:

• Hart Adventist Hospital
• Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
• FirstCare Hospital
• Holy Family Hospital (Berekum)
• Cape Coast Teaching Hospital
• Eastern Regional Hospital
• Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
• 37 Military Hospital
• Newtown Islamic Hospital Ltd
• Ghana Police Hospital
• Trust Hospital Premium Centre
• Ridge Regional Hospital
• International Maritime Hospital
• Tamale Teaching Hospital
• Regional Hospital, Bolgatanga
• Upper West Regional Hospital
• Ho Teaching Hospital
• Volta Regional Hospital, Hohoe
• Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital
• Takoradi Hospital

Policy Objective and Concerns

The program is designed to provide kidney patients with free dialysis treatment, offering critical financial relief for individuals and families who previously struggled to afford the life-saving procedure.

However, concerns have been raised about the readiness of the policy’s implementation, with questions surrounding resource allocation and infrastructure adequacy as the launch date approaches.

Despite these concerns, Dr. Bawumia reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the success of the initiative, emphasizing its importance in addressing the health needs of kidney patients nationwide.

The NHIS is poised to implement this transformative policy, marking a significant step toward improving access to healthcare for vulnerable populations in Ghana.

Disbursement

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has disbursed over GH₵200 million to healthcare facilities across the country for claims payment.

NHIA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, announced, “The NHIA has today [Sunday] released over GHS200 million as claims payment to healthcare facilities nationwide as free dialysis treatment begins.”

This initiative follows the NHIS’s announcement on November 30, 2024, of accredited health facilities set to provide free dialysis treatment across Ghana, effective December 1, 2024.