Management of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital says it is waiting for an official letter from the Ministry of Health to implement the free dialysis policy.
Though the National Health Insurance Authority has announced free sessions for patients below 18 and above 60 years, effective June 1, they’re still paying the full cost when 3news visited the hospital on Thursday, June 6.
The announcement came as a relief for dialysis patients considering the huge cost involved in receiving the service.
At Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, one had to pay GHC595 per session so absorbing or even subsidizing the cost is obviously good news.
But the delay in absorbing the cost as promised by government for persons below 18 and above 60 as well as subsidizing it for persons within the age bracket of 19 and 59 has left many patients disappointed.
“This is the second dialysis session since the announcement was made. It wasn’t free because I had to pay in full”, 64-year-old Owusu Richard said.
“We received the news with excitement, but the policy is yet to be implemented. We plead with government to speed up the process”, 61-year-old Esi Nsiah shared.
Management says it is ready to offer the free services but only after receiving an official letter.
“Yes, the announcement has been made and we are all excited because we see how patients struggle to continously pay for the dialysis. Some do not even come for sessions due to financial constraints. So, before we commit our resources to this important activity, we need to receive directives from the Ministry of Health on modalities then we can go ahead”, Dr Yaw Opare Larbi, Deputy Medical Director of KATH explained.
Meanwhile, the hospital has increased its dialysis machines from two to seven and is expecting more in the next few weeks.
“We are looking at getting a total of 20 dialysis machines by the end of the year, so we are fully prepared for policy”, Dr Larbi hinted.
Management of KATH has however indicated that, it may reimburse patients if the expected official letter states that the policy takes effect from June 1.
By Ibrahim Abubakar
