The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, has announced that dialysis services will be permanently included in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He said that actuarial analyses had confirmed the feasibility and sustainability of the initiative.

Dr. Aboagye announced this at the opening of the NHIA’s district office in Kpandai, Northern Region, emphasizing the government’s commitment to providing quality and accessible healthcare for all.

“After doing due diligence, the Authority has been offering free dialysis for all patients at varying proportions, which was expected to end after six months.

“We aim to make dialysis coverage a permanent part of the National Health Insurance Scheme,” he said.

The Scheme has already covered the costs for eight dialysis sessions per month for patients under 18 and over 60 years while providing two sessions per month for those aged 18 to 59 during a six-month pilot programme.

Dr. Aboagye noted that the initiative was part of the NHIA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts to bridge the gap in healthcare access while the government develops a long-term solution.

“The inclusion of dialysis in the NHIS benefit package, along with other recent additions, marks a transformative moment in Ghana’s healthcare system.

“As the NHIA continues its journey towards healthcare modernisation, Ghanaians can look forward to more initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes, reflecting the government’s overarching goal of leaving no one behind in its quest to provide affordable and accessible healthcare,” he said.

Dr. Aboagye acknowledged the NHIS’s achievements in making timely claims payments but pointed out that in 2017, the scheme was burdened with a significant debt of GH¢1.2 billion, which represented the entire budget for that year.

“As a result, health facilities went unpaid for a full year, leaving many Ghanaians struggling to access necessary care.

“However, thanks to the dedicated efforts of President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, we have successfully reversed this situation.

“Today, we are proud to announce that the NHIA has achieved unprecedented claim payments, with over GH¢800 million disbursed in just the past month, along with an additional over GH¢300 million disbursed in October.

“Currently, we have paid claims up to August 2024 and have no vetted outstanding claims to pay. We are now calling on facilities to submit their claims for payment to enhance services under the Scheme,” he said.

Dr. Aboagye stated that the E-Pharmacy policy was part of the strategy to eliminate the co-payment initiative within the NHIS.

He also announced that mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, would be added to the NHIS benefit package starting November 1, 2024, to enhance accessibility to mental health services.

Dr. Aboagye had earlier inaugurated similar district offices in Suaman and Juaboso in the Western North Region, as well as in Damango in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region.

He emphasised that the district offices were to ensure that residents access 95 percent of primary healthcare needs covered by the NHIS.

Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, the Northern Regional Minister, praised the NHIA for its initiatives to enhance the scheme’s infrastructure in a speech delivered on his behalf.

He emphasised the benefits of NHIS enrollment, noting that it had led to increased healthcare utilization and lower out-of-pocket expenses for both outpatient and inpatient services.

Consequently, Alhaji Shaibu encouraged community members to enrol in the scheme to take advantage of the expanded benefits, which now include dialysis treatment, mental health coverage, and free medical care for individuals aged 60 and older.

Kofi Tatabika, the District Chief Executive said that the upgraded office would facilitate health insurance enrollment and assist patients in navigating the healthcare system effectively.

“This is a vital step towards ensuring our people receive the care they need,” he added.

Mr. Tatabika expressed his appreciation to the board and management of the NHIA for approving the upgrade, saying that the development would enhance the health and well-being of the community.