Akufo-Addo instructs MoH and NHIA to create a funding strategy for kidney treatment
President Akufo-Addo has instructed the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to formulate a comprehensive plan for state funding of kidney treatment.
This decision came after a group of medical doctors, representing the Private Health Facilities Association, presented concerns regarding the kidney treatment crisis in the country.
Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah explained that the President directed the health authorities to assess the issue and provide recommendations on how to address it, with the proposals expected in the coming weeks from both the NHIA and the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Samuel Boakye Donkor, Vice President of the Association, also appealed to the government to consider granting tax waivers on medical equipment, including dialysis machines, to make it more affordable to import these vital devices.
The renal dialysis unit at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital faced backlash after announcing a steep increase in dialysis session costs, leading to public outrage.
The hospital later reversed this decision. However, the renal unit had been closed to outpatients since May due to consumable shortages.
The Renal Patients Association of Ghana and the minority caucus of the Health Committee of Parliament have been urging the hospital’s management to reopen the unit, citing the tragic consequences of the closure for patients.
