Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has refuted claims that dialysis treatment is provided for free in the country, calling such assertions “misleading.” In an interview with JoyNews, Mr.Akandoh clarified that there are no free dialysis services available anywhere in Ghana.
The Minister explained that while the previous government had allocated GH₵2 million for dialysis treatment under the 2024 National Health Insurance Formula, the funding expired at the end of 2024. He stated that the amount was insufficient, noting that Ghana requires at least GH₵75 million annually to adequately cover dialysis for patients.
“The National Health Insurance Formula that covered dialysis expired on December 31, 2024. Beyond that, there is no policy or funding in place for free dialysis,” Mr.Akandoh said.
The Minister added that the government is working on establishing a sustainable funding model and legal framework for dialysis and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana. As part of this effort, Mr. Akandoh inaugurated a nine-member task force on March 12, 2025, to oversee the implementation of the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, known as “Mahama Cares.”
The task force, chaired by Rev. Prof. Emeritus Seth Ayettey, is expected to provide recommendations by April 15, 2025, aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure and reducing the financial burden on patients battling chronic conditions like kidney disease.
Source:TheDotNews