GH¢2 million approved by Parliament for dialysis treatment – NHIA boss
CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Aboagye Da-Costa has revealed that government will in the coming days disburse some GH¢2 million that was approved by Parliament to assist in providing dialysis treatment for the needy.
The funds which were approved in March this year, followed an appeal by kidney patients for a government intervention after increment in the cost of dialysis.
On Monday, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital increased dialysis cost from GH¢380 to GH¢491, which has been described as illegal by some members of Parliament’s Select Committee on Health.
Dr Aboagye Da-Costa is hopeful the disbursement will bring some relief.
“We have made progress on dialysis. That committee that was set up to implement the disbursement has concluded its report and I can say that within the next few weeks, we will begin the disbursement to the various hospitals”, he revealed.
“What was approved by Parliament was for the needy, this will supplement for patients in Korle Bu, Komfo Anokye and the Cape Coast hospital,” he added.
Parliament in March approved GH¢6.87 billion to enable the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to pay health insurance claims and undertake its activities earmarked for the year.
The House also approved the 2024 distribution formula for disbursing the funds, which for the first time includes emergency support for needy dialysis patients.
Enhanced funding for dialysis would be made available when a committee set up to evaluate the actuarial model of absorbing the ailment on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) completes its work.
Dr. DaCosta also revealed that the committee that was set up to analyze the actual cost impact of dialysis on claims budget including sustainability mechanisms has submitted its report with recommendations.
