Free dialysis for renal patients welcomed, but treatment centers remain scarce – Association

The president of the Renal Patients Association of Ghana, Kojo Baffour Ahenkorah, praised the government's decision to provide free dialysis services for kidney patients through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He stated that the initiative will cover approximately 80% of the total cost of treatment for renal patients.

He lamented that the cost of treatment for kidney-related issues has caused several of their members to die because they lack the necessary resources.

Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Kojo Baffour Ahenkorah said several of them have decided to use herbal treatment while others also depend on miracles.

However, he noted that the announcement for free dialysis through the NHIS could increase the number of renal patients who visit our public health facilities, especially the one at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Following the announcement of free treatment, he has proposed the establishment of additional kidney treatment centres.

"That is the most important thing that the government must focus on now. The treatment centres are few. The private treatment centres are more than the public ones. In Accra alone, there are more than 15 centres. It has been beneficial. The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has a limited number of machines for treatment.

"The number of renal patients is close to 400, with new cases recorded every single day. The machines are not enough. They recently commissioned a new neurology centre here and have promised to bring in about 30 machines. We are optimistic they will bring in the new machines, which will go a long way in helping.

"They would need to equip all of the hospitals. Another factor to consider is that the number of patients will increase as a result of the announcement that free dialysis will be provided to renal patients through the NHIS. The pressure will rise as more people on the NHIS visit the hospital.

"That is why we would need to equip our health facilities at the district level with treatment equipment, new machines, and more centres. Every district hospital should have a minimum of five machines. When that happens, the pressure on the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital will decrease."