The World Health Organization (WHO) is pushing for an expansion of Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to encompass critical illnesses, with a particular focus on kidney diseases. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by patients in need of dialysis.
Dr. Francis Chisaka Kasolo, WHO Country Director, emphasized the importance of extending coverage to include renal treatment services. He highlighted that such an expansion would significantly ease the financial strain experienced by patients, especially in light of the recent outcry over skyrocketing dialysis fees at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
During a media event in Accra, Dr. Kasolo stressed the need for a comprehensive reassessment of NHIS operations. He stated, “Expanding our health insurance to cover renal treatment services can mitigate the associated costs and reduce the growing out-of-pocket expenses we are witnessing, particularly concerning dialysis costs.”
Incorporating renal treatment services into the NHIS benefits package, according to Dr. Kasolo, has the potential to reduce the financial burden on patients and provide a viable solution to the escalating out-of-pocket expenditures related to dialysis costs.