Renal disease patients are skeptical over the sustainability of the free dialysis programme initiated by the current administration.
Their concern is borne out of the uncertainty surrounding the funding source for the programme that started on December 1, 2024, by the outgoing Akufo-Addo administration.
President of the renal patients’ Kojo Baffour Ahenkorah tells OnuaOnline they are in the process of seeking audience with the President-elect John Dramani Mahama to know the way forward.
On December 01 this year, government rolled out the free dialysis policy under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The decision followed series of concerns on the cost of dialysis in the country, gaining both public and media attention months ago when issues of illegal mining also known as ‘galamsey’ intensified.
It became topical on the campaigns of the two major political parties with the current government pushing through with its promise to make the dialysis service free from December 1, after an implementation of pilot plan from June this year.
CEO of the NHIS, Dr. Aboagye Dacosta, during the official launch of the policy reassured Ghanaians of preparations to ensure sustainability of the programme in years to come.
The NDC on the other hand in its manifesto promised to establish a Cancer and Kidney Disease Trust Fund and to also remove taxes on essential medical supplies for dialysis.
So far the initiative started in December is in progress at the selected health facilities across the country.
President of the Renal Patients’ Association, Kojo Baffour Ahenkorah says all have been smooth at the various facilities so far and they are grateful.
“As at now, I’ve not heard anything from any patient that they are denying them so, so far so good. We’ve not heard anything yet. Nothing has not come out like Korle Bu, for instance, when we come, they do ask, I have a normal thing, voice or receipt, have you paid now? We don’t go through those things again. So if it’s successful, once you come.“
However, there are concerns regarding the effective implementation of the policy and its sustainability to provide patients with the needed medical care, especially as an estimated 57 million cedis is needed annually for the policy.
He said they are in the process of meeting the President-elect to know what’s in store for them in the next government.
“Now the incoming government, I don’t know for sure. We are trying as much as possible to meet the government before they take over, so that we’ll put our request before them that they should maintain it for us, but I believe they will do so in order,” he stated.
The fate of the initiative currently hangs in the balance until the incoming administration makes a decisive statement regarding its sustainability.
By Frederick Kunzote-Ani
