Oppong Nkrumah celebrates NHIA’s dialysis subsidy after months of advocacy

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister of Works and Housing, has praised the National Health Insurance Authority's (NHIA) decision to subsidize dialysis treatment for vulnerable groups.

This announcement comes on the heels of his extensive advocacy efforts to make dialysis care more affordable and accessible.

"I am pleased to read this report that the NHIA has finally agreed to underwrite a significant portion of the dialysis care costs. Thumbs up to the board and management. The next step is to ensure the automaticity of fund flows, reduce the levy, and adjust the market premiums appropriately," Oppong Nkrumah wrote on Facebook.

Oppong Nkrumah's post has received widespread acclaim on social media. Akua Mensah commented, "Thank you, Hon. Nkrumah, for tirelessly fighting for us. My father will now receive the treatment he needs without the financial burden." Another user, Kwame Asare, said, "Your efforts have paid off! This is a monumental step for healthcare in Ghana. Kudos to you!"

The NHIA's new policy, which will be in effect from June to December 2024, will provide free dialysis sessions for patients under 18 and over 60 years old. For those aged 18 to 59, a subsidy will be offered for two sessions per month at several hospitals. Notably, patients at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) will receive a higher subsidy, thanks to a philanthropic gesture that significantly reduces their session costs.

This policy is designed to tackle the high costs and limited availability of dialysis treatment in Ghana, a critical issue that Nkrumah has highlighted in his advocacy work. The NHIA's initiative is expected to cost over GH¢1 million by the end of the year, representing a significant investment in the nation's healthcare infrastructure.